2024 Young Architect Award Recipient

Growing up in Lincoln, Heather Hughes, AIA, spent her early years playing outside with neighbors and making lifelong friends. Her interest in the design process emerged when her mom opened a new early childhood center when Heather was 10. Heather’s mom engaged her in the design process, bringing her along to meetings with the architect. This later inspired her architectural thesis, which focused on how the built environment can have a positive impact on a child’s learning and development.

After earning her Master of Architecture in 2011 from the University of Nebraska College of Architecture, Heather was hired as a summer intern then an employee at DLR Group in the Omaha office. After six years of soaking up as much knowledge as she could from some incredible mentors, serving different sectors, including K-12, Sports, Workplace, and Higher Education, respectively, she transferred to the Lincoln office and began to focus her career on her passions for K-12 and sustainability.

Since moving back to Lincoln in 2017, Heather has immersed herself back into the design community of her hometown and environmental stewardship in particular. She is involved with USGBC’s Women Green and the Mayor’s Resilient Lincoln Round table. Heather also stays active with the College of Architecture at UNL, hosting a group of mentees this past year through the AIAS Mentorship Program, attending the Career Fair each year to cultivate talent, and participating in design critiques as a guest critic. She served as President-Elect this year for AIA Nebraska and was involved in the Architecture in Schools Committee. It is an important part of Heather’s involvement in the community, the impact of which ranges from the advocacy efforts in the industry to bringing concepts into the classroom to help connect with K-12 students.

As a Principal in the firm and now Office Leader, Heather’s passions and focus continue to evolve. She is a champion of environmental stewardship, serving as a member of the firm’s Climate + Environment Forum.

Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband, Troy, immerse themselves in all the adventures that come with having two young girls.

Past Young Architect Award Recipients

2024 Heather Hughes, AIA

2023 Beau Johnson, AIA

2022 Matthew Gulsvig, AIA

2021 Andrew Conzett, AIA