AIA-NJ Honors Six Service Award Winners

February 3, 2015

Organization Honors Architects and Firms For Their Exemplary Work in 2014

AIA-NJ is known for its dedication to elevating the profession of architecture and improving The Garden State’s built environment. This month, the organization honored individual members and firms who demonstrated an exceptional commitment to advancing the standards of the architecture profession.

Presented during the gala at the Moorestown Community House, AIA-NJ Service Awards are designed to honor the work of the state’s most talented and forward-thinking architects and architectural firms.

“Our Service Awards program is an opportunity to recognize the tremendous amount of talent within AIA New Jersey,” said Kimberly Bunn, AIA who serves as president of AIA-NJ. “The winners represent some of the best and brightest leaders in New Jersey architecture. Not only do they serve the profession, but they also serve the communities in which we all live, work and play. Our award winners fulfill the mission of architects worldwide by constantly striving to “look up” and imagine great new possibilities.”

The recipients for the Service Awards were:

• Jack Purvis, AIA, of Allenwood received the “Distinguished Service Award” in recognition of his extensive architectural experience. The former AIA-NJ president established his architectural firm, Jack A. Purvis, in 1986. Now based in Allenwood, NJ, he has held the AIA Jersey Shore presidency, (2002) where he created a Chapter scholarship fund and organized meetings at Brookdale Community College to educate and support students of architecture.  He has also been a workshop presenter in the New Jersey Polio Network Annual Conference and has written articles for the organization’s newsletter discussing Universal Design and accessibility issues. Within the local community, he has held service roles with Open Space Preservation Task Force Committee of Howell, N.J., Monmouth Greenhouse Gas Reduction Advisory Committee and Chairman of the AIA New Jersey SDAT Sandy Recovery, Camp Osborn, Brick, N.J. Chairman.

• Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design (JZA+D) in Princeton, N.J., received the annual “Architectural Firm of the Year Award.” Over the past eight years, the firm has grown from a one-person shop founded by Joshua Zinder to an architectural firm employing 14 full-time employees with over ninety-five years of collective experience. The firm has utilized its talented architects and designers to complete over one million square feet of programming and test-fits for local corporate clients, both developers and tenants. This work resulted in approximately 40 built or in-progress projects in 2014. The firm is also involved in community service and is an active member of several local and national organizations, including AIA, USGBC, the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Real Estate Business Alliance.

• Merilee Meacock, AIA, of Cranbury, N.J., was honored with the “Architect of the Year Award” for her insightful and creative answers to today’s architectural challenges. Some of her most notable works include The Hebrew Academy of Morris County, Eden Institute and Newark’s Teacher’s Village. She is currently a Partner with KSS Architects where she began her career after graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from Pennsylvania State University in 1990. Within her community, Meacock plays the role of Cub Scout Leader, using her expertise to mentor young boys in the proper reading of construction plans and character development. She also holds prestigious positions on the Township Zoning Board and the Development Review Committee.

• Jason Chmura, AIA, LEED AP of Ocean received the “Young Architect of the Year Award” as a result of his substantial work in construction, design and architecture. Chmura joined AIA in 2005 after being named Jersey Shore Intern of the Year. After joining AIA-NJ’s Jersey Shore Chapter as an associate member, he became Treasurer in 2010 and also presides over the Budget & Finance Committee and the Emerging Professionals Committee. Jason was appointed chapter Vice President in 2013 and still holds the post.

• Nicole Hollenbeck, LEED AP Associate AIA of Ewing was named “Intern Architect of the Year.” Nicole has grown from her experience in the AIA’s Intern Development Program and her work with KSS Architects, which have equipped her with the knowledge of what it takes to become a professional architect. She began her career in architecture after a summer program at the University of Maryland. In 2002, she enrolled in the architectural program at Philadelphia University. Nicole joined KSS Architects in November 2010 and has become a Certified Revit Profession (2012), and is now managing projects and teaching others how to manage files and model proficiently.

• Ingrid W. Reed of Princeton, N.J. was presented with the “Resident of the Year Award.” Reed is a policy analyst focusing on New Jersey civic affairs. She directed the New Jersey Project of Rutgers’ Eagleton Institute of Politics from 1996 until she retired in June 2010. She is a founding board member of New Jersey Future and is its first senior fellow. She also chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Local Government Ethics (2009-2010) and the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation from its inception under Governor Kean until 2010.

AIA helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. AIA-NJ is a local chapter of the national AIA, and has six sections, which include Architects League of Northern New Jersey, Central Jersey, Newark and Suburban, Jersey Shore, South Jersey and West Jersey. Each section is independent and runs local events and programs for its members.

By admin | Posted in AIA-NJ News, Architecture in NJ, NJ Architect Newsletter | Tagged: AIA-NJ Service Awards, Ingrid Reed, Jack Purvis, Jason Chmura, Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design, Merilee Meacock, Nicole Hollenbeck | Comments (0)