AIA Tennessee established The Samuel Morgan Service Award to recognize architects, public officials, & others who design notable public facilities and/or advocate for design excellence in public spaces. The Award is modeled after the AIA National Award for Excellence in Public Architecture.
Eligibility:
The Award is open to a single individual or two individuals, (living or deceased), who through their efforts have created a singular body of distinguished architectural work. Award nominees may be:
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A Tennessee licensed, private sector architect or a public service architect with a portfolio of public facilities. This category recognizes achievements of those architects who, by their skill, professionalism, dedication, ability, and commitment, have consistently fostered quality in the public built environment and such quality is uniquely attributable to each recipient in the pursuit of design excellence.
or
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A Tennessee public official or other private individuals deemed worthy. This category recognizes achievements of those individuals who have consistently fostered by their skill, professionalism, dedication, ability, and commitment, quality in the public built environment and such quality is uniquely attributable to each recipient in the pursuit of design excellence.
Submission Requirements:
1. Nomination letter: 1 page letter (maximum of 500 words) by an AIA Tennessee member summarizing the contributions made by the nominee.
2. Biography: 3 page (maximum) summary of the nominee’s history including education, professional experience, and list of relevant activities by year, organization, role, etc.:
1. Executive Summary for items 2-8 below
2. Service to the community [boards, committees…]
3. Service to the profession [AIA components, other entities…]
4. Service to education [teaching, mentoring…]
5. Publications [architecture, related industries…]
6. Presentations [speaking, roundtables…]
7. Juries [ AIA, related industries…]
8. Recognition [awards, honors…]
3. Exhibits: 15 pages (maximum) of work examples with images, drawings, and supporting information for a maximum of five projects relevant to the submission.
4. Letters: A maximum of three one-page letters of support with at least one from a member in an AIA component in Tennessee, that are explicit in their recommendation and contain specific reasons for support. Each letter is to be written on company letterhead or email containing an original or digital signature.
Award Information
- Nominations must be made by an AIA Tennessee member.
- No more than one such award shall be made in any year for each award.
- The awards ceremony will take place at the AIA TN Celebration of Architecture, August 12 - 14 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- All submissions must be uploaded by 5pm/central, May 1, 2026.
Questions
For any questions, please contact David Powell, FAIA at 615.329.1399 or via email at dpowell@haa.us