Now in its 11th year, AIA Tennessee’s Lifetime Achievement Awards program was established to recognize architects and individuals whose significant body of work has had a lasting and meaningful influence on the profession and the built environment. These Lifetime Achievement awards are the highest honors that AIA Tennessee can bestow on an individual. Congratulations, Barry & Mark! Click below to learn more about each recipient and their achievements over the years!
William Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award for the Profession of Architecture recognizes achievements of those architects who, by their skill, professionalism, dedication, ability, and commitment, have consistently fostered quality in the built environment, creating a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.
The 2022 William Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award for the Profession of Architecture is awarded to Barry Alan Yoakum, FAIA.
Barry Yoakum has fostered a collaborative design spirit of bettering the built environment through the stewardship of his work for over four decades, realizing the greenest buildings possible. Barry’s accomplishments have been diverse and many. All rooted in actionable, sustainable design from his earliest days at the University of Tennessee. Beginning in 1974, his growing commitment to the environment coincided with the worlds’ first oil crisis. Almost 50 years later, his work continues to seek reconciliation of climate change and the built environment. His body of work and its positive impact on accelerating a variety of projects, typologies, and client initiatives illustrates a commitment to the
pursuit of high design and high performance. It demonstrates a passion for betterment of the many within a professional narrative that elevates humble means, materiality,
form, detailing, and light.
Barry was elected to the College of Fellows American Institute of Architects in 2010 for his contributions in design. He is a recognized leader in the field of collaborative design that focuses on design excellence by blurring the line between high design and high performance. His awards, publications, and accolades cover a broad spectrum of recognition that include international, national, regional, state, and local bodies. This includes the American Institute of Architecture Awards at all four component levels.
He has spent over half of his career at the firm of archimania in Memphis, Tennessee where he has been equal partner with founding partner, Todd Walker, FAIA. Together with Todd and countless “archimaniacs”, they have forged a tour de force in world of architecture with an emphasis on seeking to design spaces and places that are authentic
He has elevated an appreciation of architecture by his accomplishments, numerous presentations, and through beneficial community endeavors. Recognizing the value of engaging in a dialogue with peers, the community and future generations of design professionals, Barry has served the public realm as architect, author, educator, juror, mentor, speaker and community board member. He has presented at over a hundred and fifty forums presented by the AIA, The Architect’s Newspaper, ASLA, NACORE, PSMJ Resources, SMPS, ULI, and USGBC. This includes presenting at the AIA National Convention, nine AIA Regional and State Conventions, and the AIA YAF/YCF National Conference. He has juried more than a dozen AIA design awards programs across the country including AIA Chicago. Barry has served on various AIA Tennessee and AIA Memphis committees, and has been an on-call speaker and speaker recruiter for AIA Tennessee. He authored PSMJ’s Guide to Successful Alliances for A/E/C Firms Design Alliances, and has served on community boards including: Chair of Big Brothers of Greater Memphis and Memphis in May International, and Vice Chair of Hattiloo Theatre. Barry was a Charter Member of the University for Tennessee College of Architecture and Design Board for over a decade.
The Samuel Morgan Lifetime Service Award may be awarded to architects or non-architects for their contribution in the Public Realm. It recognizes either the achievements of those architects employed in the United States public sector, State of Tennessee, or governmental agencies who have consistently fostered quality in the public built environment.
OR
Public officials or individuals, who by their role and advocacy have been instrumental in the development of laws, regulations, and policies that affect the process and product of architecture, as well as the public’s perception of such architecture as an important part of our environment, lives, and heritage.
The 2022 Samuel Morgan Lifetime Service Award for contribution in the Public Realm is awarded to Mark Schimmenti, FAAR.
Throughout the 1980s, Mark Schimmenti, worked at the Philadelphia firm of Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates, and in 1995, he became a professor at the University of Tennessee College of Architecture. In addition to his work at VSBA, he was director of urban design with Andres Duany & Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk in Miami and then senior associate with Schwartz Architects in New York.
He was recognized early on for his work by the Young Architects Forum of the Architectural League of New York. He won the Rome Prize in 1997, and he studied at the prestigious American Academy in Rome, a signature recognition that is unmatched in the profession of architecture.
He has been a distinguished professor at multiple universities. At each one, he has become a mentor to students and fellow instructors. His open demeanor and special talent has brought him admiration. He has contributed to projects at renowned architectural firms, specifically to Westway in New York City, Seaside in Florida, New Orleans Return Master Plan, multiple exercises in Knoxville and Nashville with the participation of UT College of Architecture students.
Yet it is his work in Tennessee that has impressed the committee selection and so many others in our profession.
Mark became interested in the fast growth of Nashville, and he initiated a program to inform the profession and area leaders of the importance of wise planning. Following the influential urban design center in Chattanooga, a similar organization was established in our city, and Mark became the first director of the newly-formed Nashville Civic Design Center.
Under his leadership, an extraordinary project was conceived to provide a comprehensive plan for the city, coordinating the participation of hundreds of volunteers and directing the research by UTK students during semester-long rotations at NCDC. All of this work produced the material for a publication written by Christine Kreyling entitled The Plan of Nashville, Avenues to a Great City published in 2005 by Vanderbilt University Press.
Mark continued his excellent work in architectural education and urban design in Nashville and and Knoxville until his retirement.