The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles (AIA|LA) has announced its 2020 AIA|LA Presidential Honorees, bestowing its prestigious 2020 AIA|LA Gold Medal on architect Michael B. Lehrer of Lehrer Architects.

The AIALA Gold Medal is the "highest honor the organization bestows on an individual" and was awarded this year to Lehrer, who, according to AIA|LA "embodies the high level of achievement loosely covering four areas that characterize this year’s AIALA Presidential Honorees class: design excellence, service to the region and country, the fostering of next generation designers, and support of the field."

2020 AIALA President Greg Verabian, AIA. explained in a statement that “To Michael B. Lehrer, FAIA, the practice of architecture includes the rigorous investigation of strategies that deliver the benefits of design excellence to some of the region’s most vulnerable: individuals with mental illness, and those with little financial means to access housing. His devotion to fellow humans is matched by his mastery of craft. He is an architect fully engaged in architecture as a means to contribute to society as a whole.”

In 2019, AIA|LA awarded its Gold Medal posthumously to architect Norma Merrick Sklarek.

In addition to Lehrer, AIA | LA has awarded 11 other groups and individuals in its annual awards program, including Dana Cuff, Ph.D of UCLA AUD who received the Educator Award, R. Steven Lewis, FAIA, NOMAC of ZGF who received the Robert Kennard, FAIA, Award for Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity, and Angie Brooks, FAIA of Brooks + Scarpa, who received the Citizen Architect award. 

Additional awards include the Emerging Practice Award for Andre Herrero, AIA and Adam Charlap Hyman of Charlap Hyman & Herrero, the Community Contribution Award for USC Architecture Operation PPE, and the Building Team Award for the Santa Monica City Services Building.

AIA|LA also granted its 25-Year Award to the UCLA Chiller Plant/Cogeneration Facility, designed by Holt Hinshaw and Jones, Partners: Architecture.

Lastly, the Merry Norris Design Advocate, Developer award was given to Wayne Ratkovich of The Ratkovich Company while the Merry Norris Design Advocate, Builder award went to Clark Construction. Dafna Kaplan and Craig Shimahara were granted honorary AIA | LA membership status. 

According to AIA | LA, "The recipients are architects and professionals active in the built environment who have meaningfully influenced architecture, the urban design of the area, and the practice of the profession."