Advancement to the AIA College of Fellows is granted for significant achievement in design, preservation, education, literature, and service. It honors architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level.
Individuals who have been Architect level members for 10 or more years are eligible for consideration. Most candidates are nominated to submit a Fellowship application to the AIA College of Fellows Jury by their local chapter.
See the AIANY Fellows Directory here >
Refer to the American Institute of Architects headquarters website for the National Jury’s overview of the College of Fellows, submission guidelines, and links to past recipients.
2025 New Fellows
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James Crispino, FAIA, NCARB Gensler
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Eric C.Y. Fang, FAIA, AICP, LEED AP Perkins Eastman
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Richard W. Hayes, FAIA Alexander Gorlin Architects
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Ali C. Höcek, FAIA AC Höcek Architecture
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Andrea D. Lamberti, FAIA Andrea Lamberti Architect
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Brian H. Messana, FAIA Messana O'Rorke
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Deborah Finkelstein Moelis, FAIA Handel Architects
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Derek A. Moore, FAIA Skidmore Owings & Merrill
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Joshua Ramus, FAIA REX
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Mark J. Thaler, FAIA Gensler
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Suchitra M. Reddy, FAIA Reddy Architecture
2025 Fellows Committee
- Heidi Blau, FAIA, co-chair
- Sharon Egretta Sutton, Ph.D., FAIA, co-chair
- Peter Cavaluzzi, FAIA
- Annya Ramirez-Jimenez, AIA
- Magali Regis, AIA
- Rob Rogers, FAIA
- Barbara Spandorf, FAIA
- Gregory Waugh, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C
How to Become A Fellow
Call for Recommendations Due February 10, 2025
The AIA New York Chapter Fellows Committee accepts recommendations for local nominees for Fellowship at any time, but there is a deadline for each calendar year in February for consideration of submissions to the College of Fellows Jury for that year. Recommendations can be either self-referrals or submitted with the support of another AIA member. A recommendation from a Chapter Fellow is particularly appreciated.
Referrals should be sent to Suzanne Mecs at smecs@aiany.org with Subject Line: Recommendation to AIANY Fellows Committe
Portfolio Submissions Due April 3, 2025
Architect members will receive an invitation to submit a portfolio outlining their achievements for review by the Fellows Committee. Candidates are urged to confirm their eiligibility which includes at least 10 years as an Architect level (AIA) member.
The requirements for the 2025 portfolio can also be downloaded here; each year's portfolio request may have modest tweaks to the requirements, but will follow a similar framework.
As a local resource, the seminar What Does it Take to Become FAIA? was held on Friday, February 14, 2025; the recording is available at the link below. You may also request the February 2025 event slide deck or ask questions by emailing Suzanne Mecs at smecs@aiany.org.
Nominees Selected Notified in early May
Committee notifies individuals in early May if they have been nominated by the Chapter for that year's submission for College of Fellows Jury consideration. Nominees are asked to identify their sponsors as soon as possible after their selection if it had not been noted in advance. Nominees, their adminstrative support, and sponsors are invited to a submission preparation workshop, which will be held in late May.
The National Honors and Awards department maintains a wealth of information on the Fellows section of their website, including samples of past successfull submissions. These can be accessed via the web or by inquiry to the national archivist. The Chapter also has some electronic copies from individuals elevated between 2007-2024; contact Suzanne Mecs (212-358-6115 or smecs@aiany.org) if you would like to recieve a particular portfolio.
Fellows Workshop May 29 or 30, 2025
Each year, the AIA New York Fellows Committee will host a morning workshop for nominees who are working on a Fellows submission to the College of Fellows Jury. We will review the requirements and provide insight based on experience with prior candidates. Details and registration to the event will be posted on the AIA New York Calendar starting about four weeks prior to the event.
Draft Submission Due August 7, 2025
Nominees supported by the Chapter prepare a draft of the 40 page submission following the guidelines from the Honors and Awards Department. The AIANY Fellows Committee will review and comment.
Final Submission Due early October each year
The National submission portal is currently closed. However, resources and links are available at the AIA National website Fellowship section. Final instructions for the October submissions are posted by the Honors and Awards Department each June.
Fellows Candidates Notified of Jury Decisions Notification in February each year
Nominees who submitt in October 2025 will be notified by email coming from the Honors and Awards Department in Washington, DC in mid-late February 2026.
Members elevated to the College of Fellows in February 2025 will be honored at an investiture during the 2025 Conference on Architecture in Boston, MA. They will honored with a local reception on March 19, 2025.
