The AIA New Jersey Michael Graves Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor that AIA New Jersey may bestow upon an individual. It is in recognition of a significant body of work of lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.
History of the Award
The AIA New Jersey Chapter has a long tradition of honoring AIA members for their outstanding achievements in support of the profession of architecture and the American Institute of Architects. In 2004, AIA-New Jersey President Robert Cozzarelli, FAIA, and Regional Director Martin Santini, FAIA, sought to establish a new award that would acknowledge lifetime achievement for an architect who throughout his or her career has continually exemplified both excellence and significant contributions to the field. Further, President Cozzarelli and Director Santini believed it would be appropriate for the AIA New Jersey Chapter to acknowledge, with respect, the accomplishments of AIA Gold Medal recipient and internationally recognized architect Michael Graves, FAIA. Therefore, the AIA New Jersey Lifetime Achievement Award was named after Michael Graves, FAIA, as its first recipient.
This award is presented as the most prestigious award bestowed by the AIA New Jersey Chapter. It is therefore awarded with great deliberation and not necessarily on an annual basis. The award does not have a commercial sponsor. It is recognition totally by and from one’s peers.
Past recipients include:
- Michael Graves, FAIA (2004)
- J. Robert Hillier, FAIA (2007)
- Eleanor Pettersen, FAIA (posthumously, 2010)
- Jon Hlafter, FAIA (2014)
- Alan Chimacoff, AIA (2020)
Criteria for Eligibility
The Michael Graves Lifetime Achievement Award is open to a single individual (living or deceased), or two individuals, who have created a body of distinguished professional work. Candidates will be evaluated on how well they meet the selection criteria, which include:
-
The candidate shall have evidenced great depth, having a cumulative effect on the profession of architecture and society in general.
-
The candidate shall have evidenced great breadth, having influenced the direction/profession of architecture and the built environment.
-
The candidate’s contributions to the profession of architecture shall have consistently been directed toward the future as well as the past.
-
The candidate shall have evidenced the ability to transcend specific areas of expertise or shall have made connections between areas.
-
The candidates shall be widely known through the quality of his or her products by those who practice architecture, by those who teach architecture, and by those who do neither.
-
The candidate shall have been a member of AIA New Jersey in good standing and has strongly influenced and encouraged emerging professional to pursue licensure.
Administrative Process
MGLAA Committee
The committee will promote the award, review nominations and forward recommendations to the Jury per the nomination process. It shall be composed of the following members:
-
Chair, to be appointed by the AIA New Jersey President
-
Founding member Robert Cozzarelli, FAIA, who will serve as the perpetuating member to maintain the original intent of the award
-
Previous MGLAA award recipient to be appointed by the AIA New Jersey President
-
One AIA New Jersey member in good standing to be appointed by the AIA New Jersey President
-
One representative from the Michael Graves Architecture & Design firm
MGLAA Jury
The jury is composed of three nationally recognized AIA members not working or residing in New Jersey. These members are selected by the Committee to serve an individual year. They review the nominations forwarded by the Committee. They may select a recipient or may determine that none of the nominations meets the criteria and the award will not be given in that year.
MGLAA Nomination Process
Candidates may be nominated by a single current AIA New Jersey Board Member or Component Representative. Alternatively, candidates may be nominated by a Petition Organizer who has gathered the signatures of ten (10) AIA members in good standing or five (5) Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. None of the petitioners shall be employed by the nominee’s firm.
For more information, contact Robert Cozzarelli, FAIA.
About AIA and AIA New Jersey
Facebook: @AIANJ
X: @AIANJ
Instagram: AIA New Jersey
Linkedin: AIA New Jersey
AIA New Jersey Mission Statement
AIA New Jersey Supports its Members and Promotes the Public’s Understanding of Architecture through Advocacy, Education, and Service.
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 95,000 member architects and design professionals, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public well-being. 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 businesses. It also engages civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. AIA New Jersey, a chapter AIA, has been the voice of the architectural profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has over 2,000 members across six sections. For more information, please visit http://www.aia-nj.org
ABOUT THE 