Pictured: Alissa D. Luepke Pier, AIA

MINNEAPOLIS, September 1, 2022 — Alissa D. Luepke Pier, AIA, is the 2022 AIA Minnesota Louis Lundgren Award for Service recipient.

Each year, the Louis Lundgren Award for Service recognizes a Minnesota architect for their outstanding contributions in the areas of community and professional service. Through their work as citizen architects, recipients of the award are regarded by the peers for their prolonged and effective volunteerism.

Alissa Luepke Pier served on the Minneapolis Planning Commission for more than 13 years, helping shape the community’s built environment. During that time, she also ran her own practice and volunteered with students, neighborhoods, and equity initiatives, particularly in North Minneapolis. Highlights of her extensive volunteering and speaking engagements include team leadership for AIA Minnesota’s Urban Design Committee, leading design charettes around the community, and speaking and leading tours for Preserve Minneapolis/Rethos. Beyond leadership in design, she has been a dedicated volunteer for the Animal Humane Society and celiac disease groups and has coached Lego League and led other STEM groups for children for many years.

Nominator Sally Grans Korsh, FAIA Emeritus, notes that Alissa has engaged in every type of meaningful service over the course of her career. “Our community is improved, enlightened and better by her contributions, and she is richly deserving of this award.”

The AIA Minnesota Louis Lundgren Award jury included representatives from AIA Minnesota committees and award winners Adam Ariano, AIA; Peter Hendee Brown, FAIA; Jessica Holmes, Assoc. AIA; Samantha Mendiola, AIA; and 2021 Louis Lundgren Award for Service recipient Sara Weiner, AIA.

The jury wished to especially recognize Alissa’s service on the planning commission, but also noted how she turned her many passions into service opportunities, and that her commitments are long-term and deep, serving causes that support AIA Minnesota’s values.

Alissa will receive her award at the annual AIA Minnesota Awards Event on December 2, 2022. Learn more about the Louis Lundgren Award here.

The American Institute of Architects Minnesota, founded in 1892, is dedicated to strengthening our communities, improving our built environment and providing exceptional design. For more information on the organization and Minnesota architectural firms, reference our website.