What does a sustainable “scrapple” in a public park, the new Glendale Library Branch, and an architect-designed modern home along the Monon Trail have in common? All were honored with design awards at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Indiana convention.

AIA Indiana also recognized 10 architects for their service to the profession and the architectural community. Bill Browne, FAIA, earned the AIA Indiana Gold Medal Award for his role in transforming the downtown skyline and central Indiana landscape, as well as his leadership of RATIO, a premier design practice in the Midwest.

“Our talented members are positively changing the environment for their clients and the communities they serve,” said Jason Shelley, executive director, AIA Indiana. “The creative and thoughtful approach they apply to their work and community service meets the needs of their clients, while incorporating the unique elements of the spaces and places around these structures.

“At the same time, our members are giving back to their communities, whether it’s community service or boosting economic opportunities for disadvantaged populations,” Shelley continued. “I’m so proud of what they have accomplished and the impact they have, for the better, throughout the state.”

Non-Traditional ProjectsCitation Award
Project: Sylvan Scrapple - Columbus, IN
Architect: After Architecture - Charlottesville, VA
Client: Landmark Columbus Foundation, Columbus, IN

H. Roll McLaughlin 25-Year Award
Project: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center - Indianapolis, IN
Architect: RATIO - Indianapolis, IN
Client: University of Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN

Interior ArchitectureMerit Award
Project: Thornhurst Kitchen Revival - Carmel, IN
Architect: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Indianapolis, IN
Client: Peter Gundy & Marian Walsh, Carmel, IN

Citation Award
Project: Compact Contemporary - Culver, IN
Architect: ONE 10 STUDIO Architects - Indianapolis, IN
Client: Jerrold Ryan, Indianapolis, IN

New Construction Under $5MMerit Award
Project: Holly Creek Overlook - Indianapolis, IN
Architect: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Indianapolis, IN
Client: James Robert Wood & Cindy Jane Cho - Indianapolis, IN

Preservation/Adaptive Reuse/RenovationHonor Award
Project: Michigan Farm Bureau - Lansing, MI
Architect: StudioAXIS - Indianapolis, IN
Client: Michigan Farm Bureau - Lansing, MI

Merit Award
Project: IUPUI Health Sciences / Dunlap Building - Indianapolis, IN
Architect: arcDESIGN - Indianapolis, IN
Client: Indiana University - Indianapolis, IN

Merit Award
Project: Number 15 - Louisville, KY
Architect: DKGR - Indianapolis, IN
Client: Numbers Holding Company - Denver, CO

Citation Award
Project: 220 MERIDIAN - Indianapolis, IN
Architect: CSO - Indianapolis, IN
Client: Keystone Realty Group - Indianapolis, IN

New Construction Over $5MHonor Award
Project: Cedar Shores House - Columbus, IN
Architect: ONE 10 STUDIO Architects - Indianapolis, IN
Client: Greg & Kim Wasson - Columbus, IN

Merit Award
Project: City of Anderson Transit Center - Anderson, IN
Architect: krM Architecture - Indianapolis, IN
Client: City of Anderson - Anderson, IN

Merit Award
Project: Indianapolis Public Library - Glendale Branch - Indianapolis, IN
Architect: krM Architecture - Indianapolis, IN
Client: Indianapolis Public Library - Indianapolis, IN

Citation Award
Project: Lafayette Public Safety Center - Lafayette, IN
Architect: American Structurepoint - Indianapolis, IN
Client: City of Lafayette - Lafayette, IN

Edward D. Pierre Award:Sarah Hempstead, AIA
Sarah Hempstead, AIA is a respected leader who has contributed to countless projects of significance, while advancing our profession. As the CEO of Schmidt Associates, Hempstead has expanded inclusivity at the firm and led the effort to secure a Women’s Business Enterprise certification. Year after year, Schmidt Associates wins the annual Best Places to Work in Indiana due to the strong culture she has built.

Prioritizing equitable access and leaning into key issues facing central Indiana in her project and volunteer work, Hempstead’s initiatives like JobSpark for Junior Achievement have become national models. She uses her problem-solving skills to address complex issues, whether its advocating for mass transit, promoting inclusive growth and community development, or rethinking how a major interstate runs through our city.

Community service powers Hempstead, whether it’s giving back to her alma mater, funding the arts, leading AIA initiatives, or reimagining what the White River can and will become. She does all of this while leading Schmidt Associates, building communities of the future. 

Walter S. Blackburn Award:Akilah Darden
Akilah Darden is the recipient of the 2024 AIA Indiana Walter S. Blackburn Award. Darden is the founder and president of The Darden Group, LLC, an award-winning executive construction management and training firm. Darden has extensive experience in construction management, with a focus on being intentional about equitable outcomes for diverse vendors by creating successful pathways and removing barriers.

A creative and strategic thinker, Darden has leveraged technology to disrupt the construction industry and augment opportunities for under-represented groups. The Darden Group achieved 100% minority construction participation for a project with Cook Medical at 38th and Sherman in Indianapolis and is currently surpassing national diversity benchmarks for a more than $4 billion hospital campus.

Darden is also a dedicated community volunteer, actively serving on boards that promote mentorship, leadership, and education. She is the author of a children’s book, My Mom is a Construction Manager, inspired by and written with her four children. 

Tony Costello Young Architect Award:Marlee Brabin, AIA
Marlee Brabin, AIA, currently the City Architect at the City of Indianapolis, elevates the quality of design in projects in Indianapolis. Importantly, she is leading the effort to update the City’s Regional Center Design Guidelines, which involves 125 key stakeholders in envisioning a more modern, vibrant and equitable city. 

While working at Blackline, she collaborated with diverse stakeholders across Indiana in leading the design and construction of more than 315 affordable housing units. During her five years at ONE 10 Studio, she specialized in single-family homes and small-scale commercial projects. Several projects she has worked on – from London to Indiana to LA – have earned awards and public recognition. 

Brabin has served on the AIA Indianapolis Executive Committee since 2022 and is currently its Vice President. She in in leadership on the Rebuilding Together Indianapolis Board, which repairs home for low-income residents in Indianapolis. 

Juliet Peddle Award:Rachel Lindemann, AIA
Rachel Lindeman, AIA is an architect and interior designer with Studio 3 Design in Fishers and an instructor of Architecture in the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University. 

Lindemann was the first student to enroll in and complete the NCARB Integrated Path to Architecture Licensure at Ball State and in the State of Indiana, allowing her to concurrently complete the three requirements for licensure. She completed the program two months before graduation and worked closely with her professors to identify best practices to support students in the IPAL program. It was important to Lindemann that she used her experience to set future students up for success. Her professors agreed and invited her back to the Department of Architecture to teach the same series of advanced professional practice classes. Since Fall 2022, she has helped guide four students on their path to our rewarding career. 

Next Gen Award (Co-Winners):Shorf Afza, Assoc. AIA
An emerging thought leader in architecture and beyond, Shorf Afza, AIA is continuing to distinguish herself. Afza passionately believes in advancing young architects and dedicates her energy to these efforts. She is currently the Co-Chair of the AIA Indianapolis Young Architects Forum, is a member of the AIA Indiana High School Architectural Design Competition Committee, and is a recent graduate of the AIA Indiana Christopher Kelly Leadership Development Program. Afza also makes her voice heard at the Statehouse, advocating on behalf of the profession on issues that impact Hoosiers.

Cassandra L. Quissell, Assoc. AIA
An emerging leader within the AIA, Cassandra L. Quissell, Assoc. AIA currently serves in the following roles:  Associate Director to the AIA Indiana Executive Committee; the Indiana Representative to the AIA National Associate Committee and the National Associate Committee Representative on the AIA Strategic Council; and Treasurer for AIA Northern Indiana. 

A member of the DLZ Indiana team, the pillars that guide Quissell’s community involvement include education, advocacy, and growth, while engaging, empowering, and mentoring the next generation. She helped with the renovation of the historic Rees Theatre in her hometown of Plymouth, is a volunteer gymnastics coach at Plymouth High School, and volunteers at the Marshall County Blueberry Festival’s scholarship pageant.

Distinguished Firm Award:Guidon Design
Founded in 2011, the 70-person team at Guidon Design focuses on ‘Improving Lives + Empowering People’ through sustainable architecture and engineering. Based in downtown Indianapolis, Guidon Design has built a reputation for design excellence by leading technically complex projects, being responsive to clients, and ensuring close collaboration across disciplines. 

Guidon is the largest Veteran-Owned architecture firm in Indianapolis. It is also a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and certified by the City of Indianapolis as a Veteran Business Enterprise. Guidon’s leadership is proud of its history of employing veterans and supporting veteran causes.

The firm has won countless awards for its work across a wide spectrum of disciplines, including health care, science and technology, military facilities, and community spaces. The firm’s culture of giving back permeates through its work with partners, clients and the community at large. Its employees engage in meaningful volunteer work through GUIDON GIVES. ‘Guidonnaires’ volunteer both their time and dollars toward causes they are passionate about with the potential for the firm to match charitable donations. 

Gold Medal Award: William A. Browne Jr., FAIA

[To learn more about Browne’s inspiring journey, check out his full Industry Profile on our website]AIA Indiana Architecture Outstanding Service Award:Steve Alspaugh, FAIA
Alspaugh is being recognized for his service as the AIA Indiana State Disaster Coordinator. Alspaugh has been at the forefront of disaster and response through the state’s I-BEAM team, recruiting volunteers, educating architects, and providing on-the-ground assistance in communities hit by a disaster. It’s Alspaugh and his team who evaluate buildings and determine if they are safe or inhabitable. 

Disaster response is personal to Alspaugh. When he was in high school, his hometown of Monticello was hit with multiple tornadoes. He watched as countless people came to Monticello to help put the town together, and the seeds were planted that, one day, he too would help put towns and lives back together.

James J. Mladucky, AIA
James J. Mladucky, AIA is the vice president of design & construction at IU Health. Mladucky is directing the IU Health Medical Center Campus Program, a $4.5 billion health science campus in the heart of Indianapolis and the largest healthcare project currently under construction in the country. Although Mladucky has extensive experience in health care design, including multiple projects for Northwestern Memorial Hospital in the Chicago area, he turned to Indiana-based architects to design IU Health’s flagship campus. He has been a true partner with AIA since he arrived in Indianapolis.

Scott Pannicke, AIA
While Scott Pannicke, AIA has a long record of service to the AIA and the architecture profession, this award recognizes his service as a member of the Indiana Fire Prevention & Building Safety Commission. Ensuring the integrity and safety of a structure is critical, and it was Pannicke’s tenacity that helped pushed Indiana to start the process of updating Indiana’s antiquated building codes.

AIA Indiana Public Design Advocate of the Year:State Representative Blake Johnson
As a former Indianapolis City-County Councilor and now State Representative, Blake Johnson has spent more than 10 years fighting to make IndyGo’s Blue Line a reality. A strong advocate for rapid transit, Blake was unwavering in his support of the Blue Line last session despite opposition at the Statehouse. Thanks to a Representative Johnson’s efforts, a compromise was agreed upon and the Blue Line is now on track to connect Cumberland with the Airport. AIA is grateful to Rep. Johnson for never giving up and focusing on good public policy that benefits the entire community.