AIA California announces 2023 California Awards winners

The AIA California has just announced its annual slate of winners as part of this year’s California Awards.

The chapter says the awards are meant to honor “firms and individuals that have produced meaningful work and influenced the field over an extensive period of time.”

The program also recognizes practitioners who demonstrate a commitment to design excellence and advancement opportunities in the field. Steinberg Hart took home the prestigious Firm Award for their work, which has spanned 70 years and recently produced several nationally superlative projects in addition to an employee-driven push towards Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) that constitutes one-third of the award’s criteria.

They were followed by Mark Jensen, who took home the Distinguished Practice Award. The chapter’s Board of Directors commended his pursuit of “architecture as a positive cultural force, one that shapes buildings and environments grounded in culture and place, and crafted in dialogue with the future.”

They added: “The cumulative impact of his work — from nonprofit art spaces and a museum addition to creative workplaces and private homes — illuminates the role small practices can have in fostering culturally vital and dynamic communities.” 

The citation also pointed to Jensen's “exemplary” designs, saying they are “consistently at a high level of design excellence and sensitivity toward landscape and human habitation — all executed with the utmost care. He’s taught, he’s mentored, he’s impacted a multitude of people throughout his career.”

Finally, the Lifetime Achievement Award in Healthcare Facility Design was given to Taylor Design founder Linda Taylor for her firm’s contributions to the typology across the state since 1979. Her work was also mentioned as being an advocate for equal opportunities for women in the architecture and design fields. The practice, which operates five offices within the state, was also commended for its “Design That Empowers People” guiding philosophy and supportive employee culture. 

“It is an honor that AIA California is recognizing Steinberg Hart, Mark Jensen, FAIA, and Linda Taylor, AIA, during my tenure,” AIA CA President Scott Gaudineer said at the end of a press announcement. “The work of each has contributed to the field in unique ways, but both firm and individuals have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to both those working within the built environment and those inhabiting it.”