Emerging Professional Awards

The Emerging Professionals award honors emerging architects and recent graduates who have demonstrated exceptional, innovative contributions to the architecture profession. It recognizes those who have excelled not only within the discipline but also through exemplary service in the public realm, advancing both the field and the communities they serve. The award celebrates creativity, leadership, and dedication, supporting the growth and impact of the next generation of architects.

Candidates can be nominated by peers, mentors, allied professionals, employers, or self-nominated.

2025 Awardees

As a Project Architect at Amenta Emma, Joy Ortiz-Colón brings a thoughtful and impactful approach to her work, demonstrating a strong commitment to design excellence and community-centered practice. Her leadership in advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is equally noteworthy—having co-founded a JEDI committee at her previous firm and currently serving as chair of Amenta Emma’s JEDI+B Committee, Joy has led numerous outreach initiatives that connect students to the field of architecture and promote a more inclusive profession.

Joy’s dedication to mentorship and service is evident through her involvement with the ACE Mentorship Program, participation as a guest critic at several academic institutions, and active engagement with AIA Connecticut’s EDI Knowledge Community, NOMA CT’s K-12 Outreach Committee, and the Washington Street Planning Committee. Her continued service to her community further reflects a deep-rooted commitment to making a positive impact.

Through her design talent, leadership, and passion for advocacy, Joy is helping shape a more equitable future for the architecture profession.

Since joining Patriquin Architects, Aurora Perreault has made meaningful contributions across all phases of design and construction for the firm’s educational and commercial projects. As co-chair of the firm’s Sustainability Committee, she has led research initiatives focused on carbon-positive design, building performance enhancement, and the selection of socially responsible materials—advancing the goals of climate-conscious architecture.

Aurora is being honored with this prestigious award not only for her strong commitment to sustainable design but also for her mentorship and leadership in advancing the profession. As an active member of AIA Connecticut’s EDI and Emerging Professionals Committees, and as a Board Member and Programs Chair for NOMAct, she continues to elevate and connect the architecture community through impactful educational and social programming.

Her mentoring roles—as a frequent juror at the University of Hartford and a mentor for the ACE Program in New Haven since 2023—further exemplify her dedication to supporting emerging talent and fostering the next generation of architects.

Grace Rykard’s path to this honor reflects a deep and consistent dedication to mentorship, design excellence, and community engagement. From her time at Oklahoma State University, she has demonstrated a thoughtful ethos of supporting others and building community. Since joining Pickard Chilton in 2022, Grace has continued this momentum, contributing meaningfully to major design projects and playing an active role in recruitment efforts that help strengthen the future of the profession.

Her impact extends well beyond the studio. As a co-leader of New Haven’s ACE Chapter, she mentors 20–30 high school students annually, with her teams achieving strong placements in national design competitions. She has represented the profession at multiple high school career days and has led Junior Achievement’s Career Walk for the past three years—connecting countless students with pathways into architecture.

Through her thoughtful mentorship, design contributions, and commitment to outreach, Grace is helping shape a more inclusive, engaged, and forward-looking profession.

Eligibility

Candidate must have attained an architectural degree from an accredited architectural school
Candidate’s efforts must have contributed to the public realm or the profession at large, not just internal to the office where they work
Candidate must be employed by a Connecticut-based AIA Connecticut Firm or by an Allied professional or institution
Candidate must be licensed or actively working toward licensure in Connecticut AND be a member of AIA Connecticut

Submission Materials

The submission form will require the following items:

A supporting statement written by the nominator (250 words or less) that includes descriptions of:
- the nominee’s impact,
- contributions to the public realm or profession at large, and
- public recognition of endeavors (if any).
Nominee’s headshot

Fees

AIA Connecticut member: $20.00

2025 Nominations Open: March 31st
Nominations Closed: April 30th