The AIA Minnesota Young Architect Award recognizes individuals in the early stages of their architecture careers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to both the profession and the broader community.
The submission window for the 2026 AIA Minnesota Young Architect Award will open April 1, 2026, and close May 29 at 12:00 noon CST.
“Shida’s design leadership is defined by his ability to daylight diverse perspectives and empower those around him. He finds a way to elevate dialogue and simultaneously reach consensus.”
“Across diverse project types, Wale brings the same commitment to three-dimensional storytelling and cultural expression, using his clients’ own stories as fundamental inspiration.”
Eligible candidates are AIA Minnesota members who have been licensed to practice architecture for fewer than 10 years and who are currently licensed in Minnesota.
Note: The term “young architect” refers to years of professional experience, not age.
Submissions should demonstrate outstanding architectural achievement, leadership, and meaningful community impact. Selection criteria include, but are not limited to, excellence in the following areas:
*Each exhibit must include certification from an individual—other than the candidate—with full knowledge of the project, verifying the candidate’s role. Additional details on certification format are available in Award Force.
April 1, 2026: Submission window opens
May 29 at 12:00 noon CST: Submission window closes
June: Jury
July: Recipients and unsuccessful candidates informed of selections
August: Recipients honored at the AIA Minnesota Summer Awards Celebration
The Young Architect Award jury is composed of:
The members of the 2026 Young Architect Award jury will be listed here in spring 2026.
Each year, AIA Minnesota invites two or three recent recipients of the Young Architect Award and Next Gen Award to share their approaches to creating a successful entry in a virtual open house for new award candidates. (View a recording of the 2025 Open House.) The 2026 event is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, at 4 p.m. Stay tuned for more details, including the registration link.
2025
Shida Du, AIA, NOMA
Wale Falade, AIA, NOMA
Kelly Martinez, AIA
Justin Wang, AIA, NOMA
2024
Rebecca Alexander, AIA
Greg Elsner, AIA
2023
Laura Eder, AIA
Katie Kangas, AIA
2022
Simona Fischer, AIA
Kyle Palzer, AIA
David Wilson, AIA
2021
Doug Bergert, AIA
Jacob Mans, AIA
Samantha Turnock Mendiola, AIA
Nate Steuerwald, AIA
2020
Jennifer Christiaansen, AIA
Dagmara Larsen, AIA
Daniel Yudchitz, AIA
2019
Donovan Nelson, AIA
Amber Sausen, AIA
Jesse Turck, AIA
Jill Vowels, AIA
2018
Michael Kisch, AIA
Heidi Neumueller, AIA
Matthew Tierney, AIA
2017
Amy Douma, AIA
Jody McGuire, AIA
2016
Jonathan Bartling, AIA
Angela Wolf Scott, FAIA
Christopher Strom, AIA
Recipients of the AIA Minnesota Young Architect Award are encouraged to apply for the AIA National Young Architect Award. To date, 32 AIA Minnesota architects have received the national honor, including:
2023
Simona Fischer, AIA
David Wilson, AIA
2021
Dagmara Larsen, AIA
Daniel Yudchitz, AIA
2020
Meredith Hayes Gordon, AIA
Damaris Gyasi-Melo, AIA, NOMA
Amber Sausen, AIA
Jesse Turck, AIA
2019
James Garrett Jr., FAIA, NOMA
2018
Angela Wolf Scott, FAIA
Malini Srivastava, AIA
2016
Bob Ganser, AIA
Amy Kalar, AIA
Karen Lu, FAIA, NOMA
2013
John Dwyer, AIA
Alissa D. Luepke Pier, AIA
2012
Timothy Bicknell, AIA
2011
Steven Dwyer, FAIA
2009
Matthew Kreilich, FAIA
Michael Schellin, AIA
2008
Michael Meehan, AIA
2007
Phillip Koski, AIA
2005
James Dayton, AIA
2004
Janis LaDouceur, AIA
2003
Paul Neuhaus, AIA
2002
Mohammed Lawal, FAIA, NOMA
2001
Jeffrey Kagermeier, AIA
1996
Michael Fischer, AIA
Robert Rothman, AIA
1995
William Blanski, FAIA
1993
Vicki L. Hooper, AIA
Joan Soranno, FAIA
2024 Recipient
“Rebecca is a citizen architect whose impact extends far beyond individual projects to create positive change in policymaking and community building.”
2024 Recipient
“Greg’s curiosity, thoughtfulness, and design philosophy are rooted in a sense of reverence for architectural scale, logical composition, material feasibility, and engineering integrity.”
