On a bright and splendid June evening, the "heroes and heroines" of the Puget Sound design community gathered with AIA 2003 President Thompson Penney FAIA and Gretchen Penney AIA, at the Weyerhaeuser Corporate Headquarters building (recipient of the 2001 AIA Twenty-five Year Award), to celebrate national and local honors.

Michael E. Smith FAIA, Thompson Penney FAIA, AIA Seattle EVP Marga Rose Hancock Hon. AIA, Gretchen Penney AIA and James R. Merritt FAIA

On behalf of the Institute, the Penneys delivered greetings to all the "design community heroes and heroines," and helped bring home the medals to those recognized with national honors this year. Two Washington architects inducted into the AIA College of Fellows shared the moment with "the home team," as James R. Merritt FAIA and Michael E. Smith FAIA offered their observations, among a group of some 125 colleagues, friends, and family members. As 2001 CACE Executive of the Year, AIA Seattle EVP Marga Rose Hancock Hon. AIA acknowledged the joy of finding a place in the AIA Seattle community, and shared pride in the teamwork of assembled family and friends.

2002 AIA Seattle Honorary Members Harriet Bullitt & Mary Randlett.

The festive assembly celebrated also recipients of local honors, including 2002 AIA Seattle Medallist David Hoedemaker FAIA. The "highest honor" recognized a lifetime of contributions to the culture of design excellence that has shaped not only the Pacific skyline but one of the nation's largest and most successful design practices, at Seattle-based NBBJ.

Tributes and applause also honored Environmental Works, recipient of the 2002 Allied Organization Award in recognition of 30 years of non-profit design practice bringing excellence to community facilities. S. Keli Hagen Associate AIA received the 2002 Community Service Award, acknowledging her work with native youth, to give back to the community of her origin based on the empowerment she has found in her career in design.

John Nesholm FAIA, Chair of the Honors Nominating Committee, presented AIA Seattle Honorary Membership to three members of a generation of the Bullitt family, whose distinct and shared generosity to communities throughout Washington has brought vision and grace: Harriet Bullitt, Stimson Bullitt, and Priscilla Bullitt Collins. Engineer Jon Magnusson, of Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire, accepted recognition for the firm's inspired contributions to landmark structures including the World Trade Center as well as notable local projects, and for his clear communication about the engineering achievement that saved lives in the immediate aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001. Mary Randlett, whose brilliant photographs over a career of 50+ years have documented people, places, and the rich spectrum of Pacific Northwest culture, also received the recognition of AIA Seattle Honorary Membership.

As the evening drew to a close, AIA Seattle President Steven N. Arai AIA and Fellows/Honors Council President Roger Williams FAIA called the "Honor Roll," connecting those recognized this year with those who have accepted honors in the past.

To mark the occasion in memory, the Emerald City company rose for a traditional closing circle, joining hands to sing "Penneys from Heaven," before departing in a spirit of shared achievement.

AIA Seattle thanks Jack Rafn and the Rafn Company; Roger Anderson and GLY, and the Weyerhaeuser Company, for their role in the evening's hospitality.

"Penneys from Heaven"
Every time it rains, it rains
penneys from heaven.
Don't you know each cloud contains
penneys from heaven?

Trade them for a package of
sunshine and flowers.
If you want the things you love,
you must have showers.
So when you hear it thunder
don't run under a tree.
There'll be penneys from heaven
for you and me.

Adapted without permission from the original, by Johnny Burke & Arthur Johnston