MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Nancy Blankfard, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, of HGA, has been elevated to The College of Fellows of The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Blankfard is Vice President and Principal specializing in cultural, civic, and religious architecture. She has more than 25 years of experience designing beautiful, functional buildings that support community engagement, diverse programming, and sustainable goals.

Among her recent work are Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park, Minnesota; the Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Park for The Loppet Foundation and City of Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board; the Tennessee State Museum for the State of Tennessee in Nashville; and Countryside Community Church and Tri-Faith Initiative Master Plan in Omaha, Nebraska.

“Nancy is passionate about advancing her clients’ missions with powerful design solutions,” said Julie Snow, FAIA, Founding Principal of Snow Kreilich Architects in Minneapolis, in nominating Blankfard. “She is that rare combination of design management expertise that is thoughtful, personable, and creative, making her the gold standard of the design manager architect.”

Blankfard is past recipient of the Ralph Rapson Traveling Study Fellowship, the AIA Minnesota Young Architects Award, and multiple regional and national design awards. She has served as guest critic and adjunct lecturer at the University of Minnesota School of Architecture and is a founding advisor of the AIA Minnesota Leadership FORUM, which helps mid-career architects strengthen their professional and community leadership roles.