2023 AIA Nebraska Honors and Awards

Carol Ross Barney TheÂ AIA NebraskaÂ Excellence in Design Awards Gala celebrates and recognizes outstanding architecture designed by Nebraska architects. AIA Nebraska members may submit projects built | unbuilt located anywhere in the United States/Worldwide.Â Registration and Sponsorships are available.

2023 AIA Nebraska Excellence in Design Gala,Â Thursday, November 9, 2023 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm,Â Steelhouse,Â 1100 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE Â 68102

5:30 pm – 6:15 pm | Lecture, Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, 2023 AIA Gold Medal Recipient

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm | Excellence in Design Awards Reception
Ticketed reception, pre-registration is required. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

7:30 pm – 9:00 pm | Excellence in Design Awards + Honors Awards Recognition
Ticketed event, pre-registration is required.

Deadline: Thursday, October 26, 2023. Price increases October 27.

AIAS Student Award

This award recognizes a member of the American Institute of Architects Students (AIAS), one undergraduate and graduate, who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to their academic community at the University of Nebraska College of Architecture.

Elise Benson,Â AIAS, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is currently a third year student in the College of Architecture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has always shown a passion for helping those around her, and after finding her calling in the field of architecture, she is now helping incoming students feel confident in their academic pursuits. She has held multiple leadership roles through the College of Architecture and in the Lincoln community, including creation of Generations Connect through Girl Scouts. Her drive to serve others led her to pursue a position as a UNL Orientation Leader, which she obtained after a competitive application and interview process. As the only upperclassmen representing the College of Architecture in New Student Enrollment for 2023, she makes it a priority to encourage new students to follow their passion for design. Eliseâ€™s mission is to be a resource for incoming architecture students whenever they face challenges throughout college.

Associate Award

Recognizes an Associate AIA Nebraska, unlicensed member who has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in the areas of design, education, and/or service in an early stage of their architectural career.

Emily Roesler, Associate AIA, is a born-and-raised Lincolnite who pursued architecture because of the social impact it has on communities. She recognized its ability to not only tell stories and embed itself in memories, but also to realize dreams and propel us toward the future. She believes architecture has the power to create positive change and is driven to use it as a catalyst in her contributions to the community. She has been involved and contributed significantly to The American Institute of Architects on the local, state and regional levels. An example to her contributions incudes the Big B.A.D. Birdhouse Project, in which AIA Lincoln partnered with Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center to integrate concepts of the environment and architecture into Lincoln classrooms.

Emily began her formal eduÂcation at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an architectural engineering major before shifting her focus solely to architecture. Before earning her Master of Architecture degree in 2017, Emily served as a small project manager and a teaching assistant for the university. Upon graduation, Emily joined DLR Group, where she achieved associate distinction within three years of employment. Educational design is her passion, Emily recognizes that every learning environment she helps create has an important role in each studentâ€™s education, which motivates her commitment to producing the highest quality design possible.

Young Architect Award

Recognizes an AIA Nebraska member, licensed less than 10 years who has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in the areas of design, education, and or service in an early stage of their architectural career.

Beau Johnson, AIA, growing up a Midwesterner, Beau was raised by competition on the athletic field and the golf course, inspiring an early ambition to artistically sculpt our fields of play that served as a gateway into the wider world of design. His professional experience has been distinctively shaped his time away, including over a decade of living and working in London, Providence, and New York City. After studying landscape architecture at Iowa State University, Beau moved to London to work for Foster + Partners. Following nearly 4 years in the UK, he returned state-side to continue his academic studies, this time in architecture, at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design. After three years in Providence, Rhode Island, Beau made his way to New York City and back to Foster + Partners, this time at their NYC office.

Since moving back to Omaha, Beau has also become very active in the arts community of Omaha. As a member, friend and frequent guest at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and the Kaneko. He is also a member of the Joslynâ€™s Young Art Patrons Executive Committee and serves on the Advisory Council for Omaha by Design.

Within just a few years of joining DLR Group, he was appointed the Regional Design Leader for the Central Region. In this role, he oversees design culture within our Omaha, Lincoln and Des Moines offices and champions innovation in the practice toward the firmâ€™s mission statement, â€œElevate the human experience through design.â€

Architectural | Design Education Award

Recognizes a living person of esteemed character who has rendered distinguished service to the profession of architecture design or to the arts science in a Nebraska institution of higher learning. Â The award recognized an individual whose activities have consistently influenced students and provided the ability to make connections between the educatorâ€™s particular areas of expertise and other areas as appropriate.

Vanessa Schutte, AIAÂ Architecture and education have been intertwined in Vanessaâ€™s life since she was eight years old. As the daughter of two teachers, her childhood was full of creative activities and learning opportunities. One particular memory is of her father, who was a high school art instructor, remodeling the family summer cabin. He made a point to engage her in the design process by asking her to help create the pattern for the new kitchen floor, and the rest is history. Many projects and many years later, Vanessa is an architect specializing in the design of K-12 education facilities.

Before joining DLR Group in 2015, Vanessa earned a Bachelor of Design degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a certificate in historic preservation, and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Maryland College Park. The diverse midwestern and east coast demographics taught her how to collaborate with team members and clients of all backgrounds and perspectives and inspired her belief that integrated design is the synergy of all stakeholders throughout each phase of design.

As a K-12 leader, Vanessa provides strategic, visionary, and positive leadership to the studio, which has completed dozens educational design projects in the past five years. She also has a passion for engaging students from the districts she is working with in the design and creation of their future schools.

Architecture Firm Award

Recognizes an AIA Nebraska firm in good standing that has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in the areas of design, education, and or service to the State of Nebraska and its communities.

Alley Poyner Macchietto ArchitectureÂ (APMA) has more than three decades of experience producing award winning designs in a collaborative, creative, cross-functional atmosphere. They believe good design is about creating beautiful spaces that build community, are functional, long-lasting, and inspiring.

As one of the regionâ€™s largest studios of architects, interior designers, graphic designers, and construction administrators, the firm serves a range of clients with design solutions that meet their programmatic and aspirational objectives.

They pride themselves on their commitment to community; be it through the work they do with non-profit organizations that serve the most at-risk, or through their dedication to promoting diversity in their workplace and industry.

Alley Poyner Macchietto Architectureâ€™s office is an open studio space that encourages collaboration and idea sharing between teams. At the heart of this collaborative spirit are the Partners and firm leadership who play a vital role in supporting and empowering design teams on each new endeavor.

2023 Harry F. Cunningham Gold Medal Recipient |Â Architectural Excellence in the State of Nebraska

The Gold Medal commemorates the achievements of Harry Francis Cunningham who came to Nebraska as lead architect for Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue’s office during completion of the tower phase of construction for the State Capitol following Goodhue’s death in 1924. It was Goodhue’s revolutionary building design which won the nationwide competition in 1920 for the creation of the state house in Lincoln. Cunningham subsequently established the first school of architecture at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln.

Michael Alley, AIAÂ What started as a two-person architecture shop based out of Michaelâ€™s spare bedroom in 1987 has grown into a 69-person architecture, interior design, and construction administration studio with offices in Omaha, Nebraska and Red Oak, Iowa. As a founding principal of Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture (APMA), Michael Alley has instilled in his colleagues his belief that architecture has the power to improve communities. This guiding principle has directed every decision he and the firm have made, from the types of projects APMA takes on, to the kinds of organizations supported with pro-bono efforts. In 2015 the firm embarked on a strategic planning initiative andÂ a dedication that reflects their deeply ingrained culture and values: Put People First. Advance Design. Build Communities. This dedication is a clear reflection of Michaelâ€™s influence and the impact of his career.

Michael has more than three decades of experience in the design and construction industry. His award-winning portfolio includes various urban redevelopment endeavors, higher education buildings, research facilities, performing arts venues, and residential projects of all sizes and scope. A passionate advocate for thoughtful development in Omaha, Michael has played an integral role in some of the cityâ€™s most impactful revitalization projects, including rethinking North Downtown, where APMAâ€™s main office resides; the rejuvenation of North Omaha, where APMA has led dozens of projects in its 36-year history; and the redevelopment of Omahaâ€™s Riverfront, through his role on the Public Art Committee.

â€œAs a founder of our firm, Michael was instrumental in creating an organizational structure that emphasizes collaboration over hierarchy. He championed our â€œflattened pyramid,â€ which allows everyone to have a voice. Michael is an incredible mentor and has helped dozens of young architects develop into talented professionals. He has done all of this in his quiet and humble manner. He truly leads by example,â€ says nominator Albert Macchietto, AIA, APMA Principal.

His selfless dedication and community-mindedness marks him as a true citizen architect. His hands-on, compassionate leadership serves as a guidepost for all team members, encouraging employees to serve their community. Michael has worked with some of Omahaâ€™s most inspirational organizations, from the Omaha Economic Development Corporation, to the Union for Contemporary Art, and The Hope Center. Encouraged by his example, APMAâ€™s passionate team members represent the firm in myriad organizations, including Family Inc, Omaha by Design, and TeamMates Mentoring Program.

Since 1991, Michael has been the recipient of more than 30 honors and awards – both locally and nationally. These recognitions underscore his commitment to preservation, the arts, community, service, and design. These accolades are always accepted humbly and with the acknowledgment that he did not act alone, but alongside a team of other talented and capable professionals.