December 21, 2021
Ornelas serves architecture community on AIA jury
Wendy Ornelas, professor of architecture at the College of Architecture, Planning & Design, or APDesign, was selected as a juror for the American Institute of Architects, or AIA, 2022 Honors Awards Jury for two of the highest honors of the institute, the Gold Medal and the Firm of the Year.
The jury selected APDesign Regnier Distinguished Visiting Professor Lawrence Scarpa and Angela Brooks, for the distinguished 2022 AIA Gold Medal. Comments from the jury included, "Partners in life and design, Scarpa and Brooks, have forged a pioneering brand of architecture that profoundly enriches the human experience and reveals the extraordinary in what is widely considered ordinary. Across three decades, the excellence of their work has been celebrated internationally, recognized for its unparalleled intersection of collaboration, community, research, and reflection. Moreover, their projects demonstrate a keen understanding of beauty, craft, and the raw power of architecture, standing among the very best of the profession."
The AIA's Gold Medal recognizes individuals whose work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.
Every year, the AIA also recognizes one firm that has produced notable architecture for at least a decade. This year the jury selected Mass Design Group as the 2022 Architecture Firm of the year.
As a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Ornelas said, "It is a true honor and privilege to be called upon to serve on this prestigious jury and my pleasure to serve with such distinguished group of colleagues to recognize excellence in the profession."
The jury included Lisa Matthiessen, chair, Amazon, Pasadena, California; Brenna Costello, SmithGroup, Denver; Nathaniel Hudson, FormGrey Studio, Reno, Nevada; Candace Jackson, CJAM Consulting, New York; Renauld Mitchell, Moody Nolan, Chicago; and Anand Sheth, Studio Anand Sheth, San Francisco.
The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architectural profession and a resource for its members in service to society.