MINNEAPOLIS – March 1, 2016 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected 12 recipients for the 2016 AIA Young Architects Award. Three of the 12 are from Minnesota. Young Architects are defined as professionals who have been licensed 10 years or fewer regardless of their age. This award, now in its 23rd year, honors individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession early in their careers.

Three 2016 AIA Young Architects Award winners from Minnesota:

GanserBob Ganser, AIA, is an award winning designer, educator and a mentor. He is an advocate for the value of quality design and the architectural profession. Ganser is currently an architect at MSR Design in Minneapolis. In 2005, he co-founded CityDeskStudio Architecture and Design – the small firm he helped to shape over 11 years of practice. He has also worked in the offices of HGA Architects and Engineers and Snow Kreilich Architects. Ganser has been a design studio instructor for the School of Architecture at the University of Minnesota since 2006 and is co-chair of the AIA Minnesota Committee on Design. KalarAmy Kalar, AIA‘s passion, talent, and dedication has a profound influence on her profession and community through a combination of advocacy, education, and innovative practice. She earned a MArch from Montana State University and is a Senior Associate with HGA Architects and Engineers. She practices as a healthcare architect and medical planner, using evidence-based design to bring innovation to healthcare environments. A leader in promoting women’s roles in the AEC industry, Kalar co-founded the AIA-MN Women in Architecture Committee. Her blog, ArchiMom.com, is dedicated to parents in architecture. LuKaren Lu, AIA’s commitment to design excellence and to positively impacting future generations of architecture professionals and global citizens is evident in her professional work and service to the AIA and her community. Lu received a MArch degree from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and is a Senior Associate at HGA Architects & Engineers. She previously worked with VJAA and Selldorf Architects. Currently serving on the AIA Minnesota Leadership Forum Advisory Committee, she is also the Board Chair of Yinghua Academy, a K-8 elementary school and national leader in Chinese immersion education. Download the release. The jury for the 2016 Young Architects Award includes: Albert W. Rubeling, FAIA, Chair, Rubeling & Associates, Inc.; Lenore M. Lucey, FAIA, LML Consulting; Virginia Marquardt, AIA, DLR Group; Raymond ‘Skipper’ Post, FAIA, Post Architects; John Sorrenti, FAIA, JRS Architect, PC and Edward Vance, FAIA, EV&A Architects, Inc. The Young Architects Award recipients will be honored at the 2016 AIA National Convention in Philadelphia. Learn about all 12 AIA Young Architects Award winners at http://www.aia.org/press/releases/AIAB108251. About The American Institute of Architects Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world.