AIA Tennessee’s Early Career Professional Friendly Firm Award Program recognizes firms from across the state who are not only implementing best practices when it comes to supporting emerging professionals and young architects but who are intentionally cultivating environments for personal and professional growth and creating solutions tailored to their firm’s needs and values.
This year’s jury is made up of individuals from across the country, from Virginia to Alaska, representing the full spectrum of career experience and firm size. Our jury includes:
The jury’s deliberations were very lively, as this year’s applicants all demonstrated their commitment to the support of their Early Career Professionals, and finding clear indicators that set some firms apart from their peers was less obvious than in years past. However, some clear trends emerged. This year’s EP Friendly Firms all emphasized the importance of ensuring experience across all phases of design and construction, including providing opportunities to learn about contracts and fees. They provide and encourage leadership development both through opportunities within the office and also through community engagement, pro-bono work, and independent training programs. These firms also clearly demonstrated how much they value their EPs by including them in the development firm policies and culture. And lastly, this year’s EP Friendly Firms take the time to celebrate wins, both personal and professional, remembering to find the joy in architecture and in a firm’s shared successes.
2025 Outstanding Emerging Professional Friendly Firm
TMP
Jury Comments: The jury was particularly impressed with TMP’s commitment to structured growth, noting that the firm excels at providing emerging professionals with a strong onboarding process and a continuous mentorship program. Jurors highlighted how the firm successfully integrates EPs into the internal strategy of the firm early on, offering them valuable experience across a variety of project types.
The jury also noted the abundance of leadership training and praised the way EPs are encouraged to join internal committees, specifically pointing out that practice management is a key part of an EP’s development. Finally, the firm was commended for its great job of incorporating emerging professionals into strategic priorities and the improvement of work policies, as well as its support for their involvement in community organizations.
Barge Design Solutions
Jury Comments: The jury noted that Barge Design Solutions goes above and beyond in supporting their emerging professionals, specifically praising the Young Professionals Network (YPN) for providing a collective voice to leadership and a strong resource for growth. Jurors were impressed by the firm’s intentionality, from the innovative Learning Management System to the “EP Rising Stars” awards and the CARES model. The jury also highlighted the firm’s exceptional intern engagement and the abundance of resources provided for ARE prep.
Furthermore, the jury found the firm’s inclusive culture remarkable, noting how “awesome” it is that the team votes for the next year’s leadership at the annual shareholders meeting. With a focus on both career advancement and community involvement, the jury concluded that Barge has created an environment that offers premier support for those pursuing licensure and long-term professional development.
EOA Architects
Jury Comments: The jury noted that EOA Architects excels in all areas of professional development, setting a standard that firms of all sizes should strive for. Jurors were particularly impressed by the firm’s comprehensive support for emerging professionals, highlighting a family leave policy that is comparable to—or even better than—much larger firms. They also praised the innovative use of 90-day reviews in lieu of annual ones, noting that this is a superior approach for the formative early years of a career when knowledge is acquired so rapidly.
In addition to their thoughtful work policies, the jury commended the firm’s leadership training and its commitment to community engagement. The applicant clearly excels at providing EPs with meaningful volunteer opportunities and a deep involvement in the strategy and priorities of the firm. Overall, the jury found EOA’s approach to be extremely well thought out, especially regarding their specific and innovative bonus structures.
Self + Tucker Architects
Jury Comments: The jury was impressed with Self + Tucker Architects’ community engagement, how they celebrate newly licensed employees, and that they regularly share firm profitability metrics, KPIS, and data.
The jury noted that the firm excels at providing opportunities for community engagement and providing a collaborative environment where all members can learn from one another through various small group meetings/activities.
The jury especially liked their approach to celebrating EP successes and their community outreach, noting they actively encourage EPs to take part in their communities through leadership, volunteerism, and pro-bono work.
Comma Designworks
Jury Comments: The jury noted that Comma Design wORKS excels at providing leadership training to EPs and also does a great job of fostering culture through various events. Support of EP staff, in particular the PSMJ leadership training, and CE stipend was highlighted.
The jury found that this firm does a lot of intentional work to support their EPs and seemingly their employees in general. Despite their size, they are doing things that firms 10 times their size are doing. The jury was really impressed overall with their work. The firm empowering EPs to be involved in the local community through a variety of different engagement resources was also noted.
The firm has a good percentage for interviewees for potential new hires who are women and/or racial or ethnic minority. The jury also stated that it’s excellent that leadership support includes paid, third-party training and financial support for conferences and continuing education. The extra plus is that the staff has a say in the conference/continuing education. The jury really liked the idea of the Committee for Change and the formalized work shot, finding it very commendable to have those transparent and documented as a young, small firm.
2024 Emerging Professional Friendly Firms
Design Innovation Architects
Sanders Pace Architecture
4FDesign
Daniels + Chandler Architects
Southeast Venture Design
brg3s
Grace Design Studio
