2005 Accent on Architecture Gala

Photo: Walter Smalling, Jr.

December 17, 2004 | Washington, D.C. The American Architectural Foundation (AAF), in association with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), will host the 16th annual Accent on Architecture Gala on Friday, February 11, 2005, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

The Gala is the nation's preeminent celebration of the power of architecture to improve lives and transform communities. This year's event will feature the presentation of the AAF Keystone Award and the AIA Gold Medal, Twenty-five Year Award, and Architecture Firm Award. AAF will also report on the significant advances in the development and implementation of its national initiatives supported in part by the net proceeds from the 2005 Gala.

Hon. Jeremy Harris

AAF Keystone Award

The American Architectural foundation created the Keystone Award in 1998 to recognize outstanding design leadership from outside of the design profession. The 2005 AAF Keystone Award recipient is the Honorable Jeremy Harris, former mayor of Honolulu. From 1994 – 2004, Harris was the eleventh mayor of the twelfth largest municipality in our nation and characterized as one of our nation’s most dynamic urban leaders.

AIA Gold Medal

Internationally acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava was selected to receive the 2005 AIA Gold Medal The highest honor the AIA confers to an individual, the Gold Medal recognizes an individual whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.

AIA Twenty-Five Year Award

The Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, Connecticut was selected to receive the AIA Twenty-five Year Award. The Yale Center for British Art is the fifth building by Louis I. Kahn, FAIA, to receive the AIA Twenty-five Year Award. The award honors significant architectural landmarks completed 25-35 years ago that have withstood the test of time.

AIA Architecture Firm Award

Murphy/Jahn, Inc. will receive the AIA Architecture Firm Award. This award is the highest honor the AIA bestows on an architecture firm and is given annually to recognize a practice that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years. Previous recipients include Cesar Pelli, & Associates, Skidmore Owings and Merrill, Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck, The Miller | Hull Partnership, and the 2004 winner, Lake | Flato Architects Inc.

Master of Ceremonies: Ray Suarez

Ray Suarez is one of the nations’ leading Hispanic voices in the media. In his speeches he touches on urbanization, connectivity, population and social dynamics, economy and culture, politics and technology, and global environmental threats. He then describes how these “drivers” will shape our cultural landscape, as well as our practices and education. | Read More