The AIA Seattle Board of Directors acted March 19 to accept the recommendations of the Honors Nominating Committee for AIA Seattle 2003 Honors, on the basis of statements (as below) presented by Honors Nominating Committee Chair David Miller FAIA. The awards recognize achievements by architects and their allies that have advanced the profession in the mission areas of AIA Seattle. The list follows of honorees for 2003, celebrated at the Honors Gala June 7 (along with recipients of AIA national honors, also below).

AIA Seattle Medal 2003
Thomas L. Bosworth FAIA 2003

AIA Seattle Honorary Members for 2003
Stanton Phillip Beck, Esq.
Deborah L. Jacobs
Robert Murase FASLA

Allied Organization Award 2003
University of Washington Press

Community Service Award 2003
Steven N. Arai AIA

The AIA Seattle Medal, the highest honor AIA Seattle may confer on an architect, recognizes "distinguished lifetime achievement in architecture including design and professional practice, and service to the profession, the community, education, and the arts, or any combination of these."

"Thomas L. Bosworth FAIA (BA, MA Oberlin College, MArch Yale). Since coming to Seattle in 1968 to chair the University of Washington Department of Architecture, Tom Bosworth has significantly advanced the quality and the international reputation of Northwest design. Perhaps most significantly, his much-honored and widely published work in residential design has become emblematic of the central values that inform Northwest architecture. Throughout his career he has made his design studio a learning laboratory, combining design practice with education - beginning as a designer with Eero Saarinen & Associates while teaching/chairing at the Rhode Island School of Design.

"In addition to more than fifty houses, the Bosworth portfolio includes 17 buildings for the Pilchuck Glass School, several buildings for Overlake School, and other projects located throughout the Northwest. As an educator, he has expanded the international dimension of architectural studies through his promotion of learning exchanges with Italy (as a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome and a founding member of the Northwest Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies in Italy/NIAUSI) and Japan, where he recently accepted an honorary degree from Kobe University."

*See also Tom Bosworth's remarks on receiving the AIA Seattle Medal

AIA Seattle Honorary Membership recognizes"...a person of esteemed character who has rendered to the profession of architecture a valuable service within the territory of the Chapter, and has conspicuously upheld the aims of the profession."

Stanton Phillip Beck, Esq.
"This dynamic attorney has advocated for architects in Washington's landmark cases of recent decades, establishing precedents that have made possible both good design and successful practice. As an advisor to the AIA Seattle Board of Directors, he has helped forge policies and agreements to advance effective team relationships among design and building professionals, and with the Practice/Ethics Committee has assisted architects to understand and meet their ethical and legal responsibilities. On behalf of colleagues from throughout the design and building industry, AIA Seattle thanks this effective advocate."

Deborah L. Jacobs
"In 1998, Seattle voters approved 'Libraries for All,' a $196.4 million library bond measure - mobilizing the Seattle City Librarian to initiate a highly visible process to create new forms for urban library use. City Librarian Deborah Jacobs has made it her mission to engage the public in the selection of work of design teams for the much-heralded Central Library, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas of OMA, and for facilities in neighborhoods throughout the urban region. AIA Seattle applauds this visible and committed advocate for design understanding and quality." In 2001, Governing Magazine recognized Deborah Jacobs among Governing Officials of the Year.

Robert Murase FASLA
"The work of landscape architect Robert Murase 'has a way of becoming one with architecture,' as one collaborator notes. Influenced by elements of traditional Japanese garden design, Murase's aesthetic focuses on natural stone and water systems. His deft translations have resulted in the creation of special urban spaces, and made a distinct contribution to the Northwest design ethic. The public and professionals alike admire his work at the Garden of Remembrance at Benaroya Hall, at Union Depot, and the Port of Seattle among other significant projects. His AIA Seattle colleagues honor 'one of our best.'"

The Allied Organization Award recognizes an organization that has contributed notably to the goals of AIA Seattle.

University of Washington Press
"Throughout its history, University of Washington Press has helped disseminate Northwest intellectual and artistic culture through thoughtful publications. Over the last two decades, Press titles have included some cornerstone works for the design community: Shaping Seattle Architecture, A Historical Guide to the Architects (1994, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of AIA in Seattle and Washington), Common Place (1997) and Repairing the American Metropolis (2002), by Doug Kelbaugh FAIA; and more recently Chandigarh's Le Corbusier by Vikramaditya Prakash (2002) and Distant Corner: Seattle Architects and the Legacy of H. H. Richardson, by Jeffrey Karl Ochsner FAIA and Dennis Alan Andersen (2003). A planned new series focusing on elements of sustainability in Northwest design will broaden yet further the understanding and influence of our best work. AIA Seattle commends a valued partner in telling the story of place."

The AIA Seattle Community Service Award, first given in 2001, recognizes an individual or group.for the achievement of significant community service objectives and for exemplifying the application of architectural skills, values, and dedication to the advancement of community goals.

Steven N. Arai AIA
"As a complement to his leadership in practice (Arai/Jackson Architects + Planners) and profession (AIA Seattle President 2001-02) Steve Arai has devoted remarkable energy to civic service. As a Board member for Historic Seattle, he helped mobilize that organization's missions in public information and advocacy for historic preservation. On the Board of the Japanese American National Museum, he joined a personal hero, Senator Daniel Inouye, and others in advancing the mission of a unique cultural facility, with national programming impact. On any given day, Steve manages to squeeze organizational work - particularly persuading others to match his contributions of time, energy, and money - into a schedule packed with work and family commitments. Such exemplars help motivate all of us to do what we can to activate our community interests."

Recipients of AIA national honors this year will also receive the congratulations of their peers at the Honors Gala June 7, and in May at AIA Convention in San Diego (including the AIA Seattle Dinner Friday May 9):

AIA 2003 Firm Award
Miller | Hull

Advanced to the AIA College of Fellows
Bruce E. Blackmer FAIA
Tony Gale FAIA
William H. Kreager FAIA
Val Thomas FAIA
Rick Zieve FAIA

Honorary AIA Membership 2003
Jon D. Magnusson Hon. AIA

Honors Gala Host Committee
Virginia Anderson
Johnpaul Jones FAIA
Rena M. Klein AIA
Donald C. Miles FAIA
David Miller FAIA
Marga Rose Hancock Hon. AIA
Roger B. Williams FAIA

Reference: Previous AIA Seattle Honors recipients