AVRC, Miami Beach, FL, US, Owner

Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked with some of the best firms and professionals out here, taking roles from Draftsman to Director, and Free-Lancer to Vice President. Time and time again, I bore witness to things just “being done”, rather than “manifested with intention”. Sentences like “good enough”, or “ok for now”, being uttered with every other breath. I could not understand how, anyone, would be okay with themselves, knowing that investing their time from the beginning, would not only save them time in the foreseeable future, but also aid in the personal and professional growth of everyone involved for the rest of their life.

Through life, via either successfully fulfilled projects, or unsuccessful interactions with both co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates, it became clear to me:

It matters not where you sit in your world hierarchy (hi or low), properly manifesting ideas, designs, visions, etc., into the real world, isn’t about taking or giving orders, it’s not about trying to change someone’s work ethic or their mind. It is about doing “it” with purpose, love, and intent, where your energy and focus are aimed at creating something of value to you and to everyone else involved. It is our belief that “this”, can be achieved by working with people who share your mentality, consulting with people that don’t (The “Devils Advocate), and leading by example.

Florida International University, Miami, FL, US, MArch, Masters Of Architecture

With about 450 students, The Department of Architecture trains students in the profession of architecture to become thoughtful practitioners, critical thinkers, and broad visionaries with the skills and knowledge to enhance their communities and the built environment around them. Students arrive in the Department at various points in their educational careers—as freshmen, as third-year transfer students, or as first-time graduate students and graduate with the Master's of Architecture degree.

Students also join the Department after their a professional education to join the Master's of Arts in Architecture post-professional degree program. Students in this program are often presented with opportunities to teach, to research, and explore topics in and around architecture in close collaboration with our full-time faculty.

The Department has a world-class faculty engaged in architectural practice and research on issues of design, sustainability, history/theory/criticism, sea-level rise, digital fabrication, and a whole host of interdisciplinary areas that advance knowledge in South Florida and across the globe.

Together, the faculty, staff, and students build an exciting atmosphere of architectural innovation and exploration that addresses the needs of today by engaging in the communities around us. The proof of our success is that FIU Architecture graduates are sought after in the workforce and around the world for their exceptional skills, knowledge, and experience.

Taken From http://architecture.fiu.edu/about/index.html

A.I.A. Henry Adams Medal: Academic Excellence Award, 1st Place

Each year The American Institute of Architects awards an engraved medal and certificate of merit to the top-ranking graduating student in each architecture program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (or CACB for Canadian schools). A certificate of merit is awarded to the second-ranking graduating student. These awards are provided as part of the AIA Scholarship Program.

Formerly called "The School Medal", the AIA Henry Adams Medal and Certificate program began in 1914 and was awarded for "general excellence in architecture throughout the four-year course to graduating students of architecture schools recognized by the Institute." The graduate was later presented with a copy of Mont St. Michel and Chartres, written by Henry Adams. The copyright of this book was later bequeathed to the Institute by the author.

The Henry Adams Fund was established in 1921 with royalties from the book sales. The fund was used to award a copy of the book "to draftsmen who cannot afford to buy it." The School Medal and Henry Adams book awards evolved into the Henry Adams Medal and Certificate Program.

Schools interested in participating can download and submit a 2013 application. If the awards are to be presented at a school ceremony, allow a minimum of four to six weeks prior to the event for medal engraving and certificate preparation.