Each year, we partner with the AIA to present two $5,000 awards to architecture students who demonstrate a particular interest in the principles of management in architecture practice. We’re proud to announce that the following students have won the 2017 David W. Lakamp a/e ProNet Scholarship:

Emmanuel Cofie always had an eye for art and design. This desire led him to obtain a B.S. in Architecture from Florida A&M University (FAMU) in 2007. Subsequently, he landed a full-time position at an architecture firm in Florida. The job exposed him to team collaboration, the risks involved with poor communication, and the means by which stakeholders, with different interests, mitigate issues. Wanting a more technical education, Cofie enrolled in FAMU’s Construction Engineering Technology Program and completed the degree in 2016 with knowledge of how to plan out projects to suit the owner and minimize financial loss. While enrolled, he went on a missionary trip to Peru where he saw the effects of inequality and forced urbanization first-hand. It’s apparent that such education will be needed for a future design professional to solve such complex issues. This experience further strengthened his desire to study architecture at the graduate level. Cofie will start a two-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree at the University of Michigan this fall.

Emily Wirt, NCIDQ, LEED GA, completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Interior Design from the University of Georgia in 2012.  She is currently a first-year Master of Architecture candidate at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  She is an active member of Georgia Tech’s American Institute of Architecture Students and Women in Architecture chapters.  Prior to her graduate studies, Wirt worked as a commercial interior designer for four years in Atlanta and Shreveport, LA, primarily in the corporate design and healthcare sectors.  Her design work at smaller local firms provided opportunities to manage design projects with sustainability and risk assessment at the forefront.  She served as the main point of contact during the contract administration phases of several larger projects, and during this role, she learned the importance of clear communication between contractors, clients, and the design team to ensure a successful and cohesive project.  To further her professional standing and commitment to sustainable management, she has also obtained her National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certification and LEED Green Associate accreditation. In her graduate studies, Wirt strives to further her studies of innovative technologies in sustainable design in regards to risk assessment.

“The scholarship applicants this year demonstrated strengths in diversified areas within the submission requirements that made it challenging to select our winners. The scholarship winners however, stood out among the rest because not only did their essays address the practice management topic in an articulate to-the-point manner, but also the suggested solutions demonstrated clear understanding of best practices such as peer reviews and the value of accountability, where risk is reasonably managed and future potential liabilities mitigated and the value of communication that includes in person interactions. In addition to the essay responses, the jury found the letters of recommendation to be strong while the experiences documented in their resumes indicated a conscious initiative to be educated in the business aspect of architecture while at the same time having strong design firm experience.” You can read the full AIA Press Release here.

This year, the essay prompt revolved around overseas collaboration. Excerpts of the winners’ responses can be found here.

Started in 1990, the scholarship was renamed in 1999 for David W. Lakamp. Mr. Lakamp was a founder of a/e ProNet and a trusted advisor to the profession. He left behind a legacy of professionalism and integrity that set new standards in the field of insurance services. The jury for the 2017 David W. Lakamp a/e ProNet Scholarship includes: Thomas G. Coghlan, A. Lira Luis, AIA, Matthew Shoor, AIA, and Muriel Watkins. Read more about our scholarship programs for architects and engineers, including a list of past winners, on the a/e ProNet website.

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We’re proud to announce that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) panel–which includes a/e ProNet member Tom Coghlan of Design Insurance Agency, Inc.–has selected Kevin Fletcher and Nathan Blair to receive the 2014 a/e ProNet AIA David W. Lakamp Scholarship.

The scholarship program was initiated by a/e ProNet in 1990, and includes an annual award of $5,000 to two architecture students who demonstrate a particular interest in the principles of management in architecture practice.

You can read more about our scholarship and how to apply next year at our website. But here, let’s learn a little more about the next generation of leaders in the architecture community.

Kevin Fletcher

Kevin Fletcher grew up in Miami, FL and will be completing his Bachelors of Science in Architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology in 2015 with plans of attending graduate school in the fall of 2015. During his time as an undergraduate student, Fletcher, a Dean’s List Scholar, has remained an active member of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS).

In the summers throughout his college education, Fletcher has gained experience working as an Intern at BC Architects AIA, Inc. Prior to graduation, he has applied his talents in areas of marketing presentations, conceptual design, design development, and construction documents. All of which have contributed to his understanding of building systems, codes, and construction methods. Following graduate school, Fletcher plans on pursuing his NCARB registration along with his LEED accreditation.

Apart from his academic and professional involvement within the field of architecture, Fletcher has spent time developing skills in other areas of graphic design, photography, and videography. All the while, maintaining an active lifestyle along with a passion for travel.

Nathan Blair

Mr. Blair graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Utah in 2014. He will be returning to the U of U in the fall to complete work on a Masters of Architecture with an expected graduation in 2016. Mr. Blair is currently employed with Epic Engineering located in Heber City, UT. He has immensely enjoyed his time there helping to grow a newly established architecture department. Upon completion of the Master’s degree program, it is Mr. Blair’s intention to seek fulfillment of IDP credit hours with Epic Engineering.

Mr. Blair’s design interests center around identifying and isolating the spirit of our time with an affinity for communicating these visions through contemporary materials and methods. Mr. Blair was recently able to implement these ideologies by competing in the CTBUH Student Tall Building Design Competition, receiving positive remarks. He is also looking forward to participating in the University of Utah’s DesignBuildBLUFF program.

During his free time, Mr. Blair will most likely be found fly fishing. He also enjoys playing tennis, golf, billiards, and getting sushi on the weekends. Mr. Blair is constantly striving to improve himself personally and professionally, and concludes in his own words, “My name is Nathan Blair. I’m a lifelong student, an aspiring architect, and I’m a Mormon.”

Congratulations, Kevin & Nathan! We wish you both the best of luck in your academic and professional careers.

According to Alison Killing of Killing Architects in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the role of the architect in modern society is undergoing a shift: moving away from the architect as a “master builder”, towards someone who is a specialist in the “built environment”.

New Generations – Killing Architects from New Generations on Vimeo.

Killing Architects recently won first prize in a competition on the future of architecture practice. The contest was put on by the New Generations network of young European architects in late 2013. Watch Ms. Killing’s short interview about the role of architects, and the opportunities for young architects who are willing to take risks and commit to research as a major part of their individual practice.

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a/e ProNet is excited to announce the expansion of the a/e ProNet David W Lakamp/AIA Scholarship. For more than two decades, our organizations have partnered to award two scholarships each year to rising senior or graduate architectural students. At the annual a/e ProNet meeting in Chicago this September, our Board of Directors authorized the increase of the scholarship amount from $2,500 to $5,000 apiece. These changes will take effect with the 2013 scholarship. The deadline for this year’s scholarship application is November 29.

Visit our website for more details about this scholarship for architecture students. Applications and submission details can be found at the AIA website. Applications and supplementary materials can be submitted via email to pmkc@aia.org in PDF format. 

In 2012, two recipients were awarded the a/e ProNet David W. Lakamp Scholarship. To read their case study topic responses, please click here.

Questions? Please send inquiries to: pmkc@aia.org