National Leaders to Gather in Washington, D.C. for the 26th annual Accent on Architecture Gala

Washington, DC , April 29, 2015 (Newswire.com) - – On Thursday, April 30, 2015, the American Architectural Foundation (AAF) will host its 26th annual Accent on Architecture Gala. The Gala garners over 500 national leaders in architecture, design, government, and education, in Washington, D.C., and Gala celebrates excellence in design leadership. This year, it will feature three honorees.

The 2015 Keystone Award will be presented to the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. The Keystone Award is presented annually to an individual or organization whose portfolio increases the value of the built environment. American Architectural Foundation Regent and Gensler co-CEO Diane Hoskins, FAIA, LEED AP, said, “True to the objectives of the award, Whiting-Turner is one of the unsung heroes in the community of creators that bring forth the places where we live, work and play. They have become a formidable and essential partner of architects, organizations and communities helping to bring vision into a built reality.” Timothy J. Regan, President and CEO of Whiting-Turner, will accept the award on behalf of the organization.

The George M. White Award for Excellence in Public Architecture will be presented to Kevin Roche, FAIA, co-founder and design principal at Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates (KRJDA). The George M. White Award was established in 2012, and is named for the late George M. White, FAIA, who during his 25-year tenure as the Ninth Architect of the Capitol oversaw key construction and restoration projects in and around the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Ronald E. Bogle, Hon. AIA and AAF President and CEO, said of Mr. Roche, “Kevin’s contributions to the public are far-reaching, and his body of work demonstrates his commitment to using architecture to improve the quality of life for communities and cities across the country.”

For his contributions in historic preservation and urban design, AAF will also present the National Medal for Design Leadership to the Honorable Joseph P. Riley Jr., Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina. “In his 40 years as the Mayor of Charleston, our longtime friend and colleague Joseph Riley has effectively engaged architecture and design as tools to dramatically transform Charleston and to drive powerful economic, social and cultural changes in his city. And as founder of the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, Mayor Riley has created an institution that will continue to influence the quality of design in American cities. He has certainly set a high standard for civic leadership in the 21st century, and we are honored to pay him tribute for his many contributions.”

Proceeds from the Gala directly support the work of the American Architectural Foundation and its three international design centers, which provide design leadership and sustainability programs to leaders in architecture, design, education, public policy, urban planning, and historic preservation. 

ABOUT THE AMERICAN ARCHITECTURAL FOUNDATION

Established in 1943, the American Architectural Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. AAF is dedicated to the vibrant social, economic, and environmental future of cities. In the past decade, AAF has provided design leadership training and technical assistance to hundreds of mayors, public-private partnerships, education leaders, business leaders, and other local decision makers in the design process. During this time, AAF has worked directly with leaders in every major metropolitan region in the United States. To learn more, visit archfoundation.org.