AIA MIAMI DESIGN AWARDS SUBMISSION INFORMATION PAGE
REGISTRATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR THE
2024 AIA MIAMI DESIGN AWARDS
Submittals for the Design Awards are due on Friday, August 9th at 5:00 pm
MEET THE JURY
Graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, in 1998, where she obtained a Bachelor of Architecture and was awarded the prestigious Pratt Institute Excellence in Design Award. A licensed architect and AIA member, she is the founder and principal of Architectural Studio, PSC. She also established The Portfolio Project, a division dedicated to guiding young students in preparing their portfolios for university admissions.
Architectural Studio, PSC is a distinguished professional services corporation based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The firm is recognized as a Certified Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and is a participant in the Federal Contracting Program. The studio's projects have earned design awards from the Puerto Rico and Florida Chapters of the American Institute of Architects. Their work has been featured in leading industry publications, including Arch Daily, Architect Magazine, and others.
She is actively involved in the architectural community as a member of the CAAPPR and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). With over 20 years of experience, her significant contributions were showcased in the 2022 Exhibition on the Impact of Women in Architecture in Puerto Rico.
Studied and graduated from the School of Architecture Art and Planning at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. For over 32 years, practiced as a licensed architect in Puerto Rico, being Chief Principal of his own architectural firm, and responsible for overseeing the design and project administration of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential buildings. Appointed to direct the Professional Regulations Division of the Puerto Rico Permits Management Office. Architecture Design Professor at the School of Architecture of the Pontific Catholic University of PR, teaching Capstone Design Studio.
Currently, teaching Ethics, Professional Practice, and Office Management at the School of Architecture of Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. Also, serves as Executive Director of the Palmas Del Mar Homeowners Association Architectural Review Board. At the American Institute of Architects, elected President of AIA PR in 2002, appointed to chair the national AIA Continuing Education Providers Council in 2004, and selected Puerto Rico Champion for the AIA 150 celebration in 2007.
Appointed President of the Puerto Rico Architects and Landscape Architects Board of Examiners from 2008 to 2017. At the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), Certificate Portfolio Reviewer and member of the Certification Alternative Review Team, the Tri-National Agreement Review Team, the Committee on Examination, the Professional Development Committee, the Education Committee, and the Broadly Experienced Architects Committee. Appointed Chair of the Continuing Education Committee for FY 13-14 and to the NCARB Award Jury in 2015.
At the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), Director nominated by NCARB for three years. Board Secretary for FY 21-22 and member of the Assessment and Evaluations Committee, the Executive Committee, Chair of International Committee, Chair of Governance Committee, Chair of Interim Progress Report Teams, and NAAB representative to the Canberra Accord. Has participated in NAAB accreditation visits for Eligibility, Candidacy, Accreditation, and International Certification.
Edna Echandi-Guzmán, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a partner at Marvel Architects, Landscape Architects, LLP. Since 2006, she has played a pivotal role in numerous architecture and urban planning ventures across Puerto Rico and New York. One noteworthy achievement is the rehabilitation of El Portal Visitors Center at El Yunque National Forest, which not only captivates tourists but also stands as a resilient hub supporting the neighboring communities.
Among her other notable accomplishments are the design of the First Responders Safe Rooms for Vieques and Culebra, islands of Puerto Rico. These innovative, self-sustaining prototypes serve as temporary shelters and emergency control centers during severe weather events. Additionally, Edna has made significant contributions to projects throughout the continental US, including the 25-story Arlo Midtown Hotel in Manhattan and the Houlton, Maine Land Port of Entry for GSA. Other work includes Master Plans for educational institutions like Sagrado Corazon University, University of Puerto Rico's Bayamon campus, and Robinson School, Urban Rehabilitation Plans and Design Guidelines for the municipalities of Camuy, Ceiba, Fajardo, Naguabo, and Mayagüez, and the restoration of the Arsenal de la Marina Española in Old San Juan.
Currently, Edna is engrossed in various endeavors, encompassing hospitality, institutional, residential, and urban planning projects. Moreover, she lends her expertise to non-profit organizations throughout the island, offering support to initiatives like PRoTechos, of which she is a Board Member, Ciudadanos del Karso, and Mujeres de Islas in project planning and design.
Her educational background includes Bachelor and Master degrees in architecture from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, and a second Master's degree in Architecture from Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain.
Furthermore, Edna's commitment to her profession extends to her past service as the Governing Board Secretary for the Colegio de Arquitectos y Arquitectos Paisajistas de Puerto Rico.
He was born in Zacatecas, México and received his bachelor and master of architecture degrees from Cornell University and SCI_arc [Southern California Institute of Architecture] respectively, named director scholar in the latter institution. He is an educator and practitioner, a licensed architect and founder of in.formation studio based in San Juan de Puerto Rico. He has been a visiting
professor and/or guest critic at Cornell University, Syracuse University, Pratt, FIU (Florida International University), University of Puerto Rico, among others.
His work has been internationally awarded, published and exhibited, among them, CEMEX, el Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de la Rioja, Spain (COAR), The Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles to name a few.
José David Mejías is a registered architect with professional experience in California and Puerto Rico. He currently serves as the Design and Business Development Director at M2A Group. He is also an adjunct professor of advanced design at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico School of Architecture and the president of AIA Puerto Rico.
He holds a Doctor of Design degree from Florida International University, a Master of Science in Architectural Technologies from the Southern California Institute of Architecture, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, with minors in urbanism and law.
In addition to his professional roles, José David volunteers with the CDT Research Group of the Construction Specifications Institute and the ARE 5.0 Item Development Subcommittee of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, contributing to developing exam content for future professionals.
ABOUT THE AIA MIAMI DESIGN AWARDS
The AIA Miami Design Awards are intended to encourage excellence in architecture, elevate public consciousness of good design, and recognize those architects whose work enriches our built environment. Projects will be reviewed with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence; how the project betters the community and environment in which it resides.
All entries must be architectural projects designed by AIA Miami licensed architects or licensed architects with offices in Miami-Dade County or Monroe County. Projects may be located anywhere in the world and built projects must have been completed by January 1, 2024.
Projects may be submitted for recognition in the following categories. The jury may move a project to a different category, upon their discretion.
AIA Framework for Design Excellence
The architect's call to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public has a new and broader meaning amid challenges such as increasing climate extremes and social inequity. Architects everywhere must recognize that our profession can harness the power of design to contribute to solutions addressing the most significant needs of our time. Every project can be used as a platform for addressing big problems and providing creative solutions. Every line drawn should be a source of good in the world.
The Framework for Design Excellence represents the defining principles of good design in the 21st century. Comprised of 10 principles and accompanied by searching questions, the Framework seeks to inform progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built environment. These are to be thoughtfully considered by designer and client at the initiation of every project and incorporated into the work as appropriate to the project scope. The Framework is intended to be accessible and relevant for every architect, every client, and every project, regardless of size, typology, or aspiration. Each submission will be reviewed with the Framework for Design Excellence in mind.
Visit the AIA Resources page for more information on the Framework for Design Excellence. http://bit.ly/3nzKr6L
Please be sure to address the tenets of the Framework for Design Excellence in your project descriptions.