July 11, 2023
By: Kyle Niblett
A whopping 13 architecture and design firms led by University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning School of Architecture ( UF SoA) graduates received a total of 20 American Institute of Architects Florida Chapter awards for 2023, AIA Florida announced this month.The group of Gators will be honored at the end of this month at the organization’s annual awards ceremony, held July 29 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando.
“UF School of Architecture graduates continue to dominate the AIA Florida Awards for Excellence, which reflects the outsized impact our alumni have in their communities,” Director David Rifkind said.
The AIA Florida Design & Honor Awards program encourages excellence in architecture, elevates the public awareness of good design and recognizes those architects whose work enriches our communities and architecture at large. Highlighting the list of UF SoA honors were the firm Wannemacher Jensen Architects, who took home the Firm of the Year Award. The firm is led by President and CEO Jason Jensen, who is a two-time UF SoA graduate (BDES ’99, MARCH ’01). Joining him at the firm are Principals Harold Somarriba (BDES ’99, MARCH ’01) and Lindsay Evans (BDES ’11).
In addition, two-time DCP graduate Rebecca Talbert (BDES ’02, MARCH ’04) was honored with the Silver Medal Hillard T. Smith Community Service Award.
Those wishing to congratulate the winners can do so at the UF School of Architecture Alumni Reception, to be held Friday, July 28, at the Grand View Terrace inside the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. To RSVP for the event, click here or on the graphic above.
DCP Graduate: Margarita Blanco (Ph.D. ’19)
Award and Topic: Merit Award: Canopy Park, Miami Beach, FL
DCP Graduate: Damien Blumetti (BDES ’07, MARCH ’09)
Award and Topic: Unbuilt Honor Award: Creek House, Sarasota, FL
Award and Topic: Unbuilt Honor Award: Boat House, Osprey, FL
Award and Topic: Unbuilt Merit Award (Architect of Record): Shadow Pavilion, Casey Key, FL
Award and Topic: Award of Excellence New Work Merit Award: Bay House, Sarasota, FL
DCP Graduate: Guy Peterson (MARCH ’78)
Award and Topic: Unbuilt Merit Award (Design Architect): Shadow Pavilion, Casey Key, FL
Award and Topic: Award of Excellence New Work Citation Award: Cherokee Park House, Sarasota, FL
DCP Graduate: Michael Halflants (MARCH ’98)
Award and Topic: Unbuilt Citation Award: USF School of Architecture, Tampa, FL
DCP Graduates: Bret Hammond (BLAE ’84) and Rhonda Hammond (MSAS ’13)
Award and Topic: Historic Preservation & Restoration Citation Award: Smokey Hollow Barbershop Historic Restoration, Tallahassee, FL
DCP Graduates: Joe Kelly (BDES ’01, MARCH ’03) and Gwen Leroy-Kelly (BDES ’01, MARCH ’03)
Award and Topic: Award of Excellence New Work Merit Award: Shibusa, Sarasota, FL
Award and Topic: Award of Excellence Interiors Merit Award: Shibusa Interiors, Sarasota, FL
DCP Graduate: John Nichols (BARCH ’65)
Award and Topic: Award of Excellence New Work Citation Award: Arlo Wynwood, Miami, FL
DCP Graduate: Rebecca Talbert (BDES ’02, MARCH ’04)
Award: The Silver Medal Hillard T. Smith Community Service Award
Rebecca Talbert, AIA, LEED BD+C, GGP is a senior architect and federal market project manager at RLF Architects in Orlando. She has over 15 years’ experience in the design and management of large, complex projects including healthcare, hospitality, and community buildings. Talbert has received local, state, and national recognition for her design work and service to the profession including the 2015 AIA Young Architect Award. She recently served as 2021 president of AIA Orlando, and currently serves on the board of directors for Hannibal Square Community Land Trust, a non-profit affordable housing developer. She has taught a wide range of architectural courses at Valencia College, the University of Central Florida, and UF Citylab-Orlando.
DCP Graduate: Rick Rowe (BDES ’80)
Object of the Year: Bat Houses at Cigar Workers Park and JC Newman Cigar Company
Award and Topic: Historic Preservation & Restoration Citation Award: St. Petersburg High School Historic Renovations, St. Petersburg, FL
DCP Graduate: Everald Colas (BDES ’05, MARCH ’07, MSAS ’08) and Jose Miranda (BDES ’00, MARCH ’02)
Object of the Year: Bus Stop
Award and Topic: Award of Excellence Interiors Honor Award: Salty Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
DCP Graduate: Max Strang (BDES ’94)
Award and Topic: Award of Excellence New Work Honor Award: Wildwood Residence, Coconut Grove, FL
Award and Topic: Award of Excellence New Work Citation Award: Angel Oaks, Coconut Grove, FL
DCP Graduates: Jonathan Kirk (BDES ’95, MARCH ’97) and Tim Hoeft (BDES ’04, MARCH ’06)
Award and Topic: Unbuilt Merit Award: McFadden Nature Center, Donalsonville, GA
DCP Graduates: Jason Jensen (BDES ’99, MARCH ’01), Harold Somarriba (BDES ’99, MARCH ’01) and Lindsay Evans (BDES ’11)
Award: Firm of the Year
DCP Graduates: John Thompson (BDES ’92, MARCH ’94) and Eric Rice (BDES ’92, MARCH ’94)
Award and Topic: Historic Preservation & Restoration Citation Award: Barbaricum, Ybor City, FL
