Nine Architects Selected to Receive the 2010 American Institute of Architects' Young Architects Award

Contact: Matt Tinder
202-626-7462
mtinder@aia.org 

For immediate release:
Washington, D.C. – February 22, 2010 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced the nine recipients of the 2010 AIA Young Architects Award. Young Architects are defined as professionals who have been licensed 10 years or fewer regardless of their age. This award honors individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession early in their careers. The Young Architects Award will be presented to the recipients at the AIA 2010 National Convention and Design Exposition in Miami.

David Burt, AIA
After graduating from Mississippi State University, Burt began a short stint working for Foil-Wyatt Architects in Jackson, Mississippi. Shortly after, he began working for the firm LS3P while becoming an AIA member. Burt gained a reputation for his skills arcross a wide variety of projects and was honored by AIA Charleston in a Design Competition for a Habitat for Humanity Project. Burt was licensed in 2004, and advanced so quickly at LS3P that he was named an associate in March of 2004 and an associate principal in April of 2006. Burt became LEED accredited in 2009, although he has been working on LEED projects since 2006. In September of 2008, he was named LS3P’s youngest principal. Burt served at AIA Charleston as Vice President in 2005, then President in 2006. He was elected in 2006 to a three-year term with the AIA South Carolina Board of Directors as its Communications Chairperson.

Kevin deFreitas, AIA
deFreitas graduated cum laude from the University of Arizona. He moved on to form Kevin deFreitas Architects. He regularly provides pro bono services to church and youth-related organizations in addition to being an active Board member of several non-profit and community planning groups. He is well-regarded for his contribution to revitalizing a downtown area of San Diego that had previously been regarded as blighted. All of his commitment to redevelopment and revitalization illustrates how he characteristically uses his profession not just for building beautiful structures, but also for service to his community through strides in urban and social planning. Kevin’s design and development work has been recognized on a local, state and national level, resulting in numerous awards and publications for its thoughtfulness, sustainability and innovation. Click here to read full press release.