Greetings, Members of AIA Baltimore!
This weekend marked the end of Architecture Month, culminating in the Excellence in Design Awards Ceremony on October 29th. While the weather threatened a cancellation, the committee, staff, and attendees persevered and the event was held in a modified format. First of all, the program was spread across the first three floors of One Charles Center, with tours of the Center for Architecture and Design on the plaza level, followed by the awards presentation in an unoccupied tenant space on the second floor, wrapping up with the reception back downstairs on the outdoor west terrace. Proof of vaccination and indoor masking was required. However, for those still not comfortable or able, the event was presented with a virtual option as well.
It was truly a celebration, not only of Baltimore’s architecture and design community, but a joy to be able to greet friends and colleagues in person, to exchange hugs and handshakes, and to once again enjoy the company of others. The Baltimore Architecture Foundation presented awards and Future Architects Resource (FAR) scholarships, AIA Baltimore presented design awards on behalf of a Detroit jury, and local juries selected honorees in the Residential Design Awards and Good Design = Good Business programs.
If you missed the presentation, you may have also missed my announcement that our Executive Director, Kathleen Lane, is leaving AIA Baltimore on December 13th. She has accepted an incredible opportunity to serve as AIA National’s first Managing Director of Sustainability and Resilience. Kathleen has led the efforts of our chapter’s professional staff for nearly ten years. In that time, those efforts have increased membership to over 1,000 members, broadened our committee functions, increased allied organization collaboration and community outreach, and of course, the development of the Center for Architecture and Design. Rest assured that we will continue this legacy of success as we search for her successor. Kathleen has offered to assist in that search, and we greatly appreciate it.
Thank you!
Scott A. McGovern, AIA – 2021 President – AIA Baltimore
