The 2025 AIA Northern Virginia Design Awards Gala recognized twenty-seven outstanding projects at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia on June 26, 2025.

The Committee received more than 100 entries across ten categories. Awards were given to architects whose projects demonstrated a level of the good design principles of the 21^st century as listed in the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. There were three different award levels in each category, and all the awards recognized and celebrated the achievements AIA Northern Virginia members have created in the design of the built environment. Prior to the event, two juries gathered in St. Louis, Missouri at the offices of CannonDesign to review and deliberate on the projects within each category.  The juries were impressed with the quality of work across all categories and gave spirited commentary in support of the projects.

The evening kicked off with a tour of the Memorial which was led by the docent of the Memorial. The Memorial was completed almost 90 years ago and is a testament to the craftsmanship of the Masonic Masons that completed the work.  After the tour, attendees gathered for the Gala reception in Memorial Hall.  The hall contains one-piece granite columns that are easily 6’-0” wide and 20’-0” tall, forming an intimate setting within an otherwise monumental structure.  Approximately 145 individuals attended the reception, offering each the opportunity to enjoy great conversation, food and drink with fellow architects and guests.  

After the reception, the group headed into the theater for the awards presentation. AIA NoVA past President April C. Drake, AIA, and Robyne Hamilton, Assoc. AIA, Principal at Shen Milsom & Wilke, were the evening’s hosts, announcing each of the winners across the categories.  The awards were displayed via video with each Award of Merit and Jurors’ Citation highlighting a brief comment from a jury member in support of the design.  Awards of Excellence projected commentary from all three jury members.  

As part of AIA NoVA’s 50^th Anniversary celebration, five past presidents spoke about their decade of service to the chapter:

2016-2025 – Joseph B. McCoy, AIA  (President in 2020)
2006-2015 – Marlene Shade, AIA (President in 2007)
1996-2005 – Kevin G. Sneed, FAIA (President in 2003)
1986-1995 – Mary L. Albert, AIA (President in 1992)
1975-1985 – Thomas L. Kerns, FAIA (President in 1984)

Each president expounded on the opportunities and challenges they faced and how the chapter grew to be larger, stronger and more relevant each decade.

The evening concluded with a group picture on the risers of the theater followed by a magnificent shot of the evening’s winners basking in the red glow of the Memorial’s splendor. Participants then returned to Memorial Hall for coffee and dessert, provided by the event’s signature sponsor, Jacobs.

Stay tuned for information pertaining to the 2026 AIA NoVA Design Awards! Submissions are due in April with the Gala taking place in June. Enter your work and join your colleagues in celebrating great design!

You can review each of the 2025 winning projects in our Gallery of Winners.

Roland Lemke, AIA, 2025 Design Award Committee Co-Chair