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
Office Buildings | May 4, 2023
In Southern California, a former industrial zone continues to revitalize with an award-winning office property
In Culver City, Calif., Del Amo Construction, a construction company based in Southern California, has completed the adaptive reuse of 3516 Schaefer St, a new office property. 3516 Schaefer is located in Culver City’s redeveloped Hayden Tract neighborhood, a former industrial zone that has become a technology and corporate hub.
Mass Timber | May 3, 2023
Gensler-designed mid-rise will be Houston’s first mass timber commercial office building
A Houston project plans to achieve two firsts: the city’s first mass timber commercial office project, and the state of Texas’s first commercial office building targeting net zero energy operational carbon upon completion next year. Framework @ Block 10 is owned and managed by Hicks Ventures, a Houston-based development company.
Market Data | May 2, 2023
Nonresidential construction spending up 0.7% in March 2023 versus previous month
National nonresidential construction spending increased by 0.7% in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $997.1 billion for the month.
Life of an Architect Podcast | May 2, 2023
Life of an Architect Podcast Ep. 124: Show Me the Money
I get asked a lot about how much money an architect makes. Without understanding a few parameters, that’s like trying to buy a car by the pound. I spend a fair amount of my time discussing the architectural marketplace, where we can find value, what’s the going salary rate based on skill set and experience, and how badly we need this spot or that spot filled.
Hotel Facilities | May 2, 2023
U.S. hotel construction up 9% in the first quarter of 2023, led by Marriott and Hilton
In the latest United States Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), analysts report that construction pipeline projects in the U.S. continue to increase, standing at 5,545 projects/658,207 rooms at the close of Q1 2023. Up 9% by both projects and rooms year-over-year (YOY); project totals at Q1 ‘23 are just 338 projects, or 5.7%, behind the all-time high of 5,883 projects recorded in Q2 2008.
Architects | May 1, 2023
HOK names Eli Hoisington and Susan Klumpp Williams as Co-CEOs
HOK has appointed Eli Hoisington, AIA, LEED AP, and Susan Klumpp Williams, AIA, LEED AP, as its new co-chief executive officers, succeeding Bill Hellmuth, FAIA, LEED AP, who passed away on April 6, shortly after his scheduled retirement.
Multifamily Housing | May 1, 2023
A prefab multifamily housing project will deliver 200 new apartments near downtown Denver
In Denver, Mortenson, a Colorado-based builder, developer, and engineering services provider, along with joint venture partner Pinnacle Partners, has broken ground on Revival on Platte, a multifamily housing project. The 234,156-sf development will feature 200 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments on eight floors, with two levels of parking.
Mass Timber | May 1, 2023
SOM designs mass timber climate solutions center on Governors Island, anchored by Stony Brook University
Governors Island in New York Harbor will be home to a new climate-solutions center called The New York Climate Exchange. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), The Exchange will develop and deploy solutions to the global climate crisis while also acting as a regional hub for the green economy. New York’s Stony Brook University will serve as the center’s anchor institution.
Market Data | May 1, 2023
AEC firm proposal activity rebounds in the first quarter of 2023: PSMJ report
Proposal activity for architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) firms increased significantly in the 1st Quarter of 2023, according to PSMJ’s Quarterly Market Forecast (QMF) survey. The predictive measure of the industry’s health rebounded to a net plus/minus index (NPMI) of 32.8 in the first three months of the year.
Sustainability | May 1, 2023
Increased focus on sustainability is good for business and attracting employees
A recent study, 2023 State of Design & Make by software developer Autodesk, contains some interesting takeaways for the design and construction industry. Respondents to a survey of industry leaders from the architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, and entertainment spheres strongly support the idea that improving their organization’s sustainability practices is good for business.
