Steven M. Nilles, FAIA, LEED AP; James E. Prendergast, FAIA, LEED AP; and Leonard Koroski, FAIA, LEED AP, have all been elected to the distinguished College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. All three are senior leaders at architecture firm Goettsch Partners (GP) and represent half of the six Chicago-based architects that were elevated this year, out of a total of 105 nationwide.
- Steven M. Nilles, FAIA, LEED AP, is the partner in charge of the firm’s Abu Dhabi office, leading the firm’s activities in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf States. Nilles specializes in the technical design of high-rise buildings that integrate advanced engineering concepts, innovative use of materials, and sustainable design strategies. He has worked on projects throughout the U.S. as well as in China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Nilles holds a professional Bachelor of Science degree in architecture from the University of Notre Dame.
- James E. Prendergast, FAIA, LEED AP, is the partner who leads the interior architecture practice, specializing in the strategic planning and design of workplace environments. He has served some of the world’s leading companies and forward-thinking clients, providing intelligent solutions. Prendergast frequently presents at client and professional forums, and lectures as part of university curriculums on design and its impact on client culture and performance. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Cincinnati.
- Leonard Koroski, FAIA, LEED AP, is a principal in the firm and a senior project architect, with expertise in the renovation, preservation, repositioning and adaptive reuse of older buildings. His work spans a range of building eras and styles. Koroski has also held key volunteer roles in the American Institute of Architects, serving as the president of AIA Illinois, a member of the AIA national board of directors, and co-chair of the AIA national Committee on the Environment. Koroski received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
The Fellowship program recognizes architects who have made a significant contribution to the profession and to society and who have achieved a standard of excellence. Out of a total AIA membership of more than 80,000, there are just over 3,000 members distinguished with this honor.
The Investiture of Fellows Ceremony takes place May 17 at the AIA 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition in Washington, D.C. BD+C
Related Stories
| Feb 15, 2011
New Urbanist Andrés Duany: We need a LEED Brown rating
Andrés Duany advocates a "LEED Brown" rating that would give contractors credit for using traditional but low cost measures that are not easy to quantify or certify. He described these steps as "the original green," and "what we did when we didn't have money." Ostensibly, LEED Brown would be in addition to the current Silver, Gold and Platinum ratings.
| Feb 15, 2011
AIA on President Obama's proposed $1 billion investment in energy conservation
The President’s budget increases the value of investment in energy conservation in commercial buildings by roughly $1 billion, reports AIA 2011 President Clark Manus, FAIA. The significant increase from the current tax deduction of $1.80 per sq. ft. now on the books is an increase for which the AIA has been advocating in order to encourage energy conservation.
| Feb 14, 2011
Sustainable Roofing: A Whole-Building Approach
According to sustainability experts, the first step toward designing an energy-efficient roofing system is to see roof materials and systems as an integral component of the enclosure and the building as a whole. Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| Feb 11, 2011
Four Products That Stand Up to Hurricanes
What do a panelized wall system, a newly developed roof hatch, spray polyurethane foam, and a custom-made curtain wall have in common? They’ve been extensively researched and tested for their ability to take abuse from the likes of Hurricane Katrina.
| Feb 11, 2011
RS Means Cost Comparison Chart: Office Buildings
This month's RS Means Cost Comparison Chart focuses on office building construction.
| Feb 11, 2011
Sustainable features on the bill for dual-building performing arts center at Soka University of America
The $73 million Soka University of America’s new performing arts center and academic complex recently opened on the school’s Aliso Viejo, Calif., campus. McCarthy Building Companies and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects collaborated on the two-building project. One is a three-story, 47,836-sf facility with a grand reception lobby, a 1,200-seat auditorium, and supports spaces. The other is a four-story, 48,974-sf facility with 11 classrooms, 29 faculty offices, a 150-seat black box theater, rehearsal/dance studio, and support spaces. The project, which has a green roof, solar panels, operable windows, and sun-shading devices, is going for LEED Silver.
| Feb 11, 2011
BIM-enabled Texas church complex can broadcast services in high-def
After two years of design and construction, members of the Gateway Church in Southland, Texas, were able to attend services in their new 4,000-seat facility in late 2010. Located on a 180-acre site, the 205,000-sf complex has six auditoriums, including a massive 200,000-sf Worship Center, complete with catwalks, top-end audio and video system, and high-definition broadcast capabilities. BIM played a significant role in the building’s design and construction. Balfour Beatty Construction and Beck Architecture formed the nucleus of the Building Team.
| Feb 11, 2011
Kentucky’s first green adaptive reuse project earns Platinum
(FER) studio, Inglewood, Calif., converted a 115-year-old former dry goods store in Louisville, Ky., into a 10,175-sf mixed-use commercial building earned LEED Platinum and holds the distinction of being the state’s first adaptive reuse project to earn any LEED rating. The facility, located in the East Market District, houses a gallery, event space, offices, conference space, and a restaurant. Sustainable elements that helped the building reach its top LEED rating include xeriscaping, a green roof, rainwater collection and reuse, 12 geothermal wells, 81 solar panels, a 1,100-gallon ice storage system (off-grid energy efficiency is 68%) and the reuse and recycling of construction materials. Local firm Peters Construction served as GC.