AIA Minnesota Announces Its 2004 Young Architects Award Recipients

The AIA Minnesota Awards Committee has selected four recipients to receive the 2004 Young Architects Award. The award is given to architects who are members of AIA Minnesota, have been licensed for less than 10 years and have shown exceptional leadership in service to the profession, the community, design, planning and/or education. The submissions included letters of recommendation from clients and AIA Minnesota member architects; project summaries highlighting the architects’ particular contributions; photos and drawings; and documentation of other achievements. The jury consisted of Awards Committee Chair E. Tim Carl, AIA; Award Committee Members: Nancy Blankfard, AIA, Christine Albertsson, AIA, Ligeia Uker, Assoc, AIA, F. John Barbour, AIA, Raymond Dehn, Assoc. AIA, and Paul Neuhaus, AIA.

The 2004 AIA Minnesota Young Architects Award winners are William Baxley, AIA, BKV Group, Minneapolis; Nina Ebbighausen, AIA, Architectural Alliance, Minneapolis; Michael Kennedy, AIA, Ellerbe Becket, Minneapolis; and Stephanie Richards McDaniel, AIA, BWBR Architects, St. Paul.

William Baxley, AIA
The jurors thought Bill’s work showed incredibly creative design and attention to detail while maintaining a high degree of client sensitivity. “He’s very service-oriented,” the jury explained, “It’s apparent that the client is at the forefront of the process for Bill.” His clients sung his praises in their nomination letters. One stated, “Bill’s unique ability to meld his professional dedication and personal ethics is unsurpassed. His relentless pursuit of our vision and masterful interpretation of our abstract responses led to the award-winning design of an office space we couldn’t be more pleased with.” Another client commented, “Working with residents and appointed and elected officials on a government project is not an easy task. Bill showed outstanding management skills, creativity, dependability and sensitivity as we moved through a very lengthy and demanding process.”

His portfolio, including Edina City Hall (Edina, MN), Maple Grove Government Center (Maple Grove, MN), and Two Popes Film (Minneapolis, MN), acknowledges this collaborative intent: “It keeps alive a sense of exploration, opens doors to new possibilities and ensures consistent quality while encouraging the talents of colleagues.” This approach, coupled with his design skills, convinced the jury of his talents, “Baxley reaches well beyond the written program to create clear hierarchies of form and space—space that is infused with light and form with materials and color. The result is appealing to both the mind and the senses.”

Nina Ebbighausen, AIA
Nina’s belief that architecture carries both enormous potential and social responsibility has led to her long-standing involvement and leadership in architectural education and a career focus on public work and teaching. Her portfolio includes: Minneapolis Central Library, Minneapolis, MN; Texas Culinary Academy, Austin, TX; and Whittier Elementary School for the Arts, Minneapolis, MN. The jury found her to be an inspired architect and a role model for others, stating, “Her passion for architecture and working with people have melded together for a very promising career that greatly benefits our communities and future architects.”

She has received many accolades: project team members appreciate her ability to sustain an overall design vision, clients praise her dedication and collaborative skills, communities respect her problem-solving abilities, and students cite the inspirational and thoughtful fostering of their architectural career. A colleague of Nina’s commented, “She has a great knowledge of architecture, a good eye for design and an untiring commitment to excellence.” While a client noted, “She is a careful listener and exhibits a genuine curiosity and empathy for the viewpoint and opinions of others.” And a student goes on to say, “Nina focused each project discussion on the real world fundamentals of architecture. She related to and inspired all of her students on an individual level.”

Michael Kennedy, AIA
“Michael’s intense involvement and stewardship on powerful projects showcase his design talent and skill in carrying forward very complicated design with diverse clients,” the jury commented. He has an uncanny grasp of three-dimensional space and the ability to quickly analyze how the program, site and building technology come together to create a strong concept. The jury also noted, “Michael’s work shows client-based results. He is a listener with no stylistic agenda and communicator who clients respect.” Fellow architects also respect him. As one colleague observed, “Michael has always had an impact with his solid professional character. In all his responsibilities, his conduct is a model of ethical behavior.”

In his 14 years at Ellerbe Becket, he has built quite an impressive portfolio in healthcare architecture. The jury agreed, “His dedication and commitment in this field has allowed him to rise to the top.” His portfolio includes Target Plaza South, Minneapolis, MN; Gonda Building – Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and New Severance Hospital – Yonsei University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea. “Given the diverse clients Michael has worked with,” the jury concluded, “it’s clear that his skills as a facilitator and collaborator combined with his demeanor equate to the ability to bring a high level of design intent to a really deserving field.”

Stephanie Richards McDaniel, AIA
Stephanie has sought opportunities to give back to her community, the environment, and her profession, and has created opportunities where none existed. “She’s logged a lot of volunteer hours—hours spent making waves and affecting change, never just going through the motions,” the jury said. The jury was impressed by the many activities she is involved with, the leadership roles she has taken on as an architect and teacher, and the length and depth of her contributions. They commented, “She is practicing in the profession of architecture, yet has never lost sight of the important element of learning. It seems to be about being a student for Stephanie. She is always asking questions, looking for feedback, and building on that knowledge.”

At BWBR, Stephanie was instrumental in developing a sustainable design program to improve the firm’s capabilities in understanding, planning and achieving high performance buildings. Stephanie couples her passionate belief in sustainable design with a practical approach. A colleague of Stephanie’s commented, “By educating team members and clients of the project and environmental benefits for sustainable solutions, she is more able to successfully initiate and implement them.” The results of a sustainable design approach can be witnessed in her projects: Neighborhood House/The Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center for Community Building, St. Paul, MN; the Ramsey County Public Works Facility, Arden Hills, MN; and East Metro Transit Facility, St. Paul, MN.

This year’s Young Architects Award winners will be recognized at the annual AIA Minnesota Awards Celebration on Friday, November 19th, 2004. AIA Minnesota Young Architects Award winners are encouraged to submit their work for the AIA National award, as well. Since the AIA Young Architect Award’s inception in 1993, AIA Minnesota architects have dominated the winners at a national level. The eight AIA Minnesota architects who have received an AIA National Young Architect Awards include: Joan M. Soranno, AIA, 1993; Vicki L. Hooper, AIA, 1993; William A. Blanski, AIA, 1995; Michael Fischer, AIA, 1996; Robert Rothman, AIA, 1996; Jeffry Kagermeier, AIA, 2001; Mohammed Lawal, AIA, 2002; Paul Neuhaus, AIA, 2003; and Janis LaDouceur, AIA, 2004.

Learn more about the AIA MN Young Architects Forum.