The goal of the EP Friendly Firm awards program is to foster dialogue within firms across the state to create new and innovative policies and opportunities that support and develop future members of the design profession.
Emerging Professionals are critical components to the vitality and growth of AIA and the profession. As such, recruitment and retention of these valued members is critical to our success. AIA Tennessee recognizes firms who offer superior support and opportunities to Emerging Professionals. We hope this process helps foster dialogue within firms and communities and across the state to create new and innovative policies and opportunities to support and develop the future members of our profession.
This year’s Oregon based jury was chaired by Nicole Becker, AIA, an Associate and Project Architect at ZFG Architects in Portland, Oregon. Nicole had served in numerous capacities for both the AIA and NAAB, including currently serving as AIA Oregon’s Young Architect Representative. The jury also included:
Stephanie Morales, Associate AIA and NOMA, past member of the AIA Oregon Board of Directors and an architectural designer at Mahlum Architects, Inc.
Robert Hoffman, AIA, managing Principal at Oculus, Inc. and former CEO of AIA Portland.
Kaley Fought, AIA, NCIDQ, Principal at Frame Studio Architecture and Past-President of AIA Oregon
Ryan Al-Schamma, Associate AIA, a designer at GBD Architects
John Flynn, AIA, LEED AP, Founding Principal at RESOLVE Architecture + Planning and President of AIA Oregon
This year’s cohort of participating firms, the largest in the program’s eight-year history, also garnered the highest average score across all submissions, a clear indicator that firms across our state continue to improve and innovate ways in which they support and provide opportunities for their early career professionals. However, that also made the task for this jury particularly difficult. Evidence of the impact of firm’s stated policies and the care taken to create and document leadership and career development programs were often sighted as the deciding factor in the award selection process.
2024 Outstanding Emerging Professional Friendly Firm
Gresham Smith
Jury Comments: While they have one of the most robust support systems for AXP and licensure of this year’s participants, it was Gresham Smith’s integration of and clear pathway for additional professional and leadership development of newly licensed architects that truly set them apart from their large firm peers. Firm resources, though extensive, appear to be distributed to maximize impact and access for all members of the firm, not just more senior staff.
brg3s
Jury Comments: With impressive investments made in their team members, this firm clearly has a people first approach to their work model. The jury praised brg3s’s balance of practicality with innovative and out of the box thinking, tailoring solutions that make the most of the flexibility and personalized mentorship that are often a staple of small and medium-sized firms. And their engagement with the local university is an even further investment in the future of the profession.
EOA Architects
Jury Comments: The jury described EOA’s firm policies and practices as inspiring and a joy to see, and they were extremely impressed with the intentionality of fostering an inclusive and supportive firm culture. Early career professionals appear to be engaged at every level of the firm from project teams and marketing efforts to firm wide committees and strategic planning initiatives. The jury also appreciated that EOA takes every opportunity to celebrate both individual and team success, which can strengthen the bonds within the community of the firm and build a culture of appreciation.
2024 Emerging Professional Friendly Firms
Comma Designworks
Jury Comments: Their emphasis on firm culture and personalized support would be award winning at any scale; however, the jury was particularly impressed with this small firm, noting that especially “for their size, they are doing commendable things.”
4FDesign
Jury Comments: Creating leadership training programs and opportunities within the firm and supporting leadership development outside of the firm made 4FDesign a standout in a very strong applicant pool.
Design Innovation Architects
Jury Comments: The jury highlighted the firm’s deliberate approach to mentorship, commitment to community service, and EPs impact on firm culture in DIA’s selection as an EP Friendly Firm.
Self + Tucker Architects
Jury Comments: The firm’s ethos and internal infrastructure create a mission-oriented office and a clear path for both leadership development and personal growth for early career professionals.
BarberMcMurry Architects
Jury Comments: The inclusion of EPs in reviewing and improving firm processes and culture, the firm’s research and development initiatives, and firm-wide participation in volunteering were all lauded by the jury.
Daniels + Chandler Architects
Jury Comments: The jury was extremely impressed with the firm’s dedication to centering firm culture around relationships, accountability, and shared investment.
Smith Gee Studio
Jury Comments: By making continuing education and training a part of the weekly rhythm of the office and encouraging EPs to take ownership of internal initiative and committees, the jury felt Smith Gee Studio provides multiple avenues for professional development for their staff.
ESa
Jury Comments: The jury believed that their strong culture of open idea-sharing and empowerment of early career professionals throughout the design process paired with a team-oriented mentorship program create a perfect balance of structured and experiential learning opportunities in their practice.
HASTINGS
Jury Comments: Small studio groups within a larger firm and intentionally keeping project teams together from concept through construction allow for organic mentorship and learning opportunities. The jury also lauded HASTINGS celebration of professional accomplishments for their EPs, which help to reinforce their culture of camaraderie.
MBI Companies
Jury Comments: The jury was impressed with MBI’s comprehensive set of internal training programs and opportunities for early experience in both project and practice management, as well as the firm’s emphasis on the importance of engagement in the community through service and local organizations.
Barge Design Solutions
Jury Comments: Their strong set of core values is evident in all aspects of the early career experience, from interdisciplinary collaboration, structured support for licensure and professional development, and a balance of team and individual goal setting. Barge’s internal Young Professionals Network was something the jury felt would benefit all large firms.