Members of the AIA Ohio community came together to learn, educate, and celebrate at the 2025 AIA Ohio “Integrate” Conference in Columbus on September 25th and 26th. The event was planned to provide members with full conference experience that maintained all of the key elements of a successful conference in a shorter, more efficient format.
Attendees had the opportunity to start their afternoon with one of Ohio’s most enjoyable annual programs, the LUs & Brews program. Featuring a range of product representatives, the LUs& Brews offered an opportunity for both education and networking while enjoying a festive atmosphere to start off the conference. Followed closely by a cocktail hour and keynote presentation by AIA Gold Medal winner Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, the activity continued to build to the annual AIA Ohio Awards Celebration. The awards kicked off with recognition of AIA Ohio’s annual sponsors and the recognition of Ohio’s newly registered architects. This was followed by several presentations by the AIA Ohio Foundation. Five Student Design Award submissions were recognized along with three Foundation grants. Four of the annual Charles Marr Citations were presented to members recognized by their service to their chapter. AIA Ohio’s new Fellows, Chris Meyers, FAIA, and Jonathan Moody, FAIA, were also recognized for their elevation to the college earlier this year.
The Design Award program started with a recognition of the People’s Choice Awards. Over 7,000 votes were cast for the People’s Choice Awards, and the top three projects were recognized. The juried Design Awards followed. Ninety-five submissions from 41 firms were juried, with 17 of them receiving AIA Ohio Awards. Four Honorable Mention Awards, including two newly built projects, one interior architecture project, and one small project were recognized.
In the Award of Merit category, four awards were presented, with two in the newly completed project category, one in interior architecture, and one in the category of additions, renovations, and restorations. Seven Honor Awards were selected by the jury with two in the newly completed building category. There were three Honor Awards in the category of additions, renovations, and restorations. There was one each for interior architecture and small projects.
The AIA Design Awards were followed by AIA Ohio’s Honor Awards. These awards recognize the accomplishment of some of AIA Ohio’s most successful and engaged members. The Emerging Professional Award was presented to Hannah Evwaraye, AIA, followed by the AIA Ohio Public Service Award, presented to Jeffery Meyers, AIA. The AIA Ohio Mentor Award was presented to Mark Diekmann, AIA. The final award of the program was the AIA Ohio Gold Medal. The Gold Medal is the highest individual recognition a member can receive from AIA Ohio. This year, the honor was presented to Johnathan Barnes, FAIA, Co-managing Director at Gensler Columbus.
The Awards program was a celebration of the amazing contributions of AIA members to the profession of architecture from across the state, and a wonderful way to kick of this year’s conference.
While Thursday’s programs and activities focused mainly on recognizing our members, the programming offered Friday was about personal growth and education. The kickoff breakfast included presentations by AIA Ohio’s committees and boards, emphasizing the work of each through the year. From strategic planning, to advocacy, sponsorship, members engagement and convention planning, members were treated to the highlights of the accomplishments to date in 2025, and invited to join us as we continue our work in 2026.
The new Junto Hotel in the Franklinton area of Columbus served as this year’s hub with activities taking place in and around the area. Throughout Friday, 12 learning programs, 4 tours, a ½ hour-long nano learning session, and a keynote presentation by Ann Lui, AIA, were presented, providing attendees with an opportunity to obtain more than 10 learning units from over 22 offered over the day and a half event.
In keeping with the “Integrate” theme, the conference ended with a happy hour, combining EP members, NOMA, and the AIA College of Fellows. The 2025 conference provided each participant with unique engagement opportunities. This year conference was a success in many ways and we hope to see each member participate in our learning, networking, and celebration events in 2026.
