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
TMPartners
Barge Design Solutions
EOA Architects
Self + Tucker Architects
Comma Designworks
2024 Emerging Professional Friendly Firms
Design Innovation Architects
Sanders Pace Architecture
4FDesign
Daniels + Chandler Architects
Southeast Venture Design
brg3s
Grace Design Studio
