The American Institute of Architects New Jersey Chapter Recognizes Matthew Fink, AIA as Young Architect of the Year

January 24, 2018

Fink is pictured here with Service Award Committee Chair, Robert Cozzarelli, AIA and AIA NJ President Verity Frizzell, AIA at the recent awards gala held at Clark’s Landing in Point Pleasant. Photo by Hollander Photographic Services.

The American Institute of Architects New Jersey (AIANJ) recently announced the winners of the AIA New Jersey Service Awards honoring the work of the state’s most talented and forward-thinking architects and architectural firms.  Matthew A. Fink, AIA, was recognized as AIA NJ’s 2017 Young Architect of the Year. 

Matthew A. Fink, AIA, LEED BD+C, was born with a passion for architecture and design. From an early age, he showed great love for construction and putting pieces together. Matthew received his architectural education at the Pennsylvania State University where he earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2012.  He has been working with LAN Associates (LAN) in Midland Park, NJ for more than eight years, where his college internship turned into a full-time position after graduation.  In 2016, Matthew completed the seven Architectural Registration Exams within ten months and earned his architecture license in multiple states.  As Design Architect, he contributes to designing some of LAN’s largest projects, while also providing photorealistic renderings and virtual reality images, which ultimately allow clients to preview a space before construction begins.

“I’m honored to receive this year’s AIA New Jersey Young Architect of the Year Award,” said Fink, “I’m thankful for the countless opportunities LAN, AIA, and my community have provided me to best use my architectural and design skills to make positive impacts on the places we learn, work, and play.”

Matthew is a member of the Architects League of Northern New Jersey (ALNNJ), where he has sat on the Board of Trustees since 2014.  He was honored with the Trustees Award by ALNNJ in 2015 and 2017 for his work and contributions made to the architecture industry.  Additionally, Matthew is a Section Director and Vice Chair of the AIA New Jersey Emerging Professionals Community (EPiC), which provides emerging professionals with the latest industry trends, and networking opportunities to further build relationships within their career.  Matthew also is an active community volunteer in his hometown of Waldwick, NJ.  He assists the Waldwick School District with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) competitions for middle and high school students, as well as annually contributing designs, plans, 3D models and art pieces to the Waldwick Graduation Ball.

“We are honored to present the 2017 AIA Young Architect of the Year Award to Matthew Fink,” said Ben Lee, AIA President. “He is an integral member of AIA New Jersey who continues to push new methodologies, while also creatively providing innovative designs that benefit our industry and the community.”

The AIA NJ annual Service Awards are given to recognize accomplishments of individuals and firms that have provided distinguished service to the profession and to the Society.  They are designed to focus on the accomplishments of members and non-members on issues of public awareness of the built environment, service to the community and other non-design aspects of Architecture.

This year’s jury consisted of AIA Connecticut President, George Fellner, AIA, AIA New York State President, Robert E. Stark, AIA and AIA Pennsylvania President, Robert Kelly, AIA. The 2017 Service Awards Chair for AIA NJ was past president and immediate past regional representative, Robert Cozzarelli, AIA.

“Each of the applicants for the AIA New Jersey 2017 Service Awards demonstrated a high degree of major architectural accomplishments regarding professional, technical and community-based attributes.  We congratulate the selected award recipients for their distinguished excellence involving their professionalism, extensive backgrounds, diverse involvements, as well as their clear commitments to the community.”                                                    ~ George Fellner, AIA

About AIA and AIA New Jersey

Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through a dynamic network of more than 250 chapters and more than 90,000 member architects and design professionals, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. The organization’s local chapter, AIA New Jersey, has served as the voice of the architectural profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has 2,000 members in six local sections. For more information, please visit http://www.aia-nj.org

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in AIA-NJ News, Uncategorized | Tagged: #2017AIANJWinners, #ClarksLanding, #emergingprofessionals, #EPiC, #LANAssociates, #MatthewFinkAIA, #RobertCozzarelliAIA, #ServiceAwards, #VerityFrizzellAIA, #YoungArchitectsForum | Comments (0)