KSS Recognized for Community-Minded Architects

February 4, 2016

KSS Architects Awarded Two AIA New Jersey Service Awards

The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIANJ) held their annual Awards Dinner Saturday, January 30th, presenting Service Awards to two KSS architects in recognition of their individual accomplishments that have provided distinguished service to the profession and to the Society.

Kyle Rendall, AIA, was named 2015 AIA NJ Young Architect of the Year, reflecting his dedicated professional and community achievements. Kyle attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Architecture degree.  Long before that, however, Kyle was proving his dedication to the practice of architecture, participating in his first internship in middle school. By the time he graduated from high school, Kyle was independently meeting with clients and running projects through schematic design and design development for a high-end residential firm in Hopewell, New Jersey.

Now an associate at KSS, where he has worked for six years, Kyle has contributed to the growth of the firm’s focus on PreK-12 education, taking a lead role in construction administration phases of team projects such as a mixed-use housing building for Teachers Village and an urban high school for KIPP NJ, and actively participating in marketing for future work.

Kyle’s dedication extends far beyond the office. Throughout his young career, Kyle has placed great emphasis on the belief that in order to live to the fullest within a community one must give back. Whether volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Trenton and Newark, procuring and carrying out pro bono projects, or serving as the Captain of the Princeton Fire Department, Kyle continually pushes the envelope of what it means to be a good architect.

“Kyle’s wonderful combination of expertise and community service has made him an integral part of KSS’s team,” said Merilee Meacock, KSS Partner. “Kyle’s architectural knowledge of construction techniques for complex, sophisticated building types has been invaluable, and his dedicated community service and drive to complete pro-bono work strongly reflects KSS’s mission of meaningful change. We believe he is very well-deserving of AIA NJ’s Young Architect of the Year Award.”

Alicia Weaver, Assoc. AIA,  was named 2015 AIA NJ Intern Architect of the Year. From an early age, Alicia kindled a passion for art and architecture, sketching Disney movie covers and building tree forts.  A crystallizing moment arose when Alicia watched her father construct an addition to her childhood home, and she became determined to become an architect.

While participating in the East Asia Study Abroad program at the University of Florida, Alicia built a strong recognition of the transformation through various engagements between traditional and modern architecture. Specifically focusing on the rapid urbanization of China and its effects on the building industry, Alicia’s work became her honors thesis, earning her magna cum laude upon graduation with a Bachelor of Design in 2008.

At KSS, Alicia has contributed to several projects, leading the project team for the STS Distribution Center and Headquarters, implementing KSS’s first project with Building Information Modeling (BIM), and administering the LEED Silver Coca Cola Distribution Center and Headquarters. As co-leader of the firm’s Sustainability Practice Group, Alicia shares her expertise in firm-wide presentations and seeks to uncover the potential and experience of her peers.

Dedicated to the future of architecture, Alicia also leads the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program at Hightstown High School, empowering high school students to pursue careers in ACE fields.

“Tenacity is the word that comes to mind when I think about Alicia,” said Ed Klimek, KSS Partner. “She has the courage to apply herself with full energy in all she does, whether it be design, working with contractors in the field, leading the ACE Mentorship program at KSS, or even snow boarding! Collaborating with Alicia always leaves you energized and excited about the work accomplished together.”

By admin | Posted in AIA-NJ News, NJ Architect Newsletter | Tagged: AIA-NJ Service Awards, Alicia Weaver, KSS Architects, Kyle Rendall | Comments (0)