Call for Thomas U. Walter Award Nominations

This award is presented annually to a current member of the architectural profession and is intended to recognize their contributions to the architectural community through their service to the American Institute of Architects and other related professional organizations. Recipients for this award The John Frederick Harbeson Award is presented annually to a long-standing member of the architectural community and is intended to recognize their significant contributions over their lifetime to the architectural profession and its related disciplines. The recipient of this award will have distinguished themselves throughout their career by their contributions to the architectural profession, the American Institute of Architects, the education of the architectural community, and their contributions to the Philadelphia community at large.

The recipient of this award is selected annually by the Board of Directors. Nominations from Chapter Members are welcome. This award is presented during the AIA Philadelphia Board Induction, is given to someone who will have distinguished themselves amongst their colleagues through service to the ‘Institute’ on a local, state, or national level. Candidates for this award shall be proponents of good design practices, active advocates for the profession, and have demonstrated a commitment to community service.

Created in celebration of the AIA’s sesquicentennial anniversary (150 years), this award is presented in honor of Thomas Ustick Walter. Born in Philadelphia, Thomas U. Walter received his architectural training while under the employment of William Strickland. He began practicing architecture in 1830 and became one of founding members of the American Institute of Architects in 1857, and later served as the organizations second president. Mr. Walter first came to national recognition for his Greek revival design of the original buildings at Girard College for Orphans. His most note-worthy project was the design of the central dome and the flanking chambers for the Senate and House or Representatives at the United States Capitol in 1850. Mr. Walter served as the Capitol architect from 1850 until 1865 and is considered by many to have been the dean of American architecture between the death of Benjamin Latrobe and the work of H.H. Richardson.

The recipient of this award is selected annually by the members of the Board of Directors of AIA Philadelphia. It is anticipated that this award will be presented during AIA Philadelphia’s Board Induction Ceremony each January.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE BELOW FORM AND SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION IN THE FILE UPLOAD FIELD.