Architectural Record Awards made history this year, honoring Thomas Phifer, founder of Thomas Phifer and Partners, alongside the highly anticipated Innovator of the Year winner, Caitlin Mueller. This prestigious event, held October 30 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage building in New York, celebrated excellence in Architectural Design and groundbreaking work focused on Sustainable Design principles. Phifer, whose career includes notable projects like the Modern Art Museum in Warsaw, was recognized along with other winners, further emphasizing the program’s focus on future-forward practice.
Since founding his own studio in 1997, Thomas Phifer has been recognized for cultural, urban, and residential projects that represent an approach to structure where Architectural Design is at the forefront. His work focuses on the quiet yet powerful relationship a building establishes with its environment, steering clear of architectural showmanship.
Phifer’s leading projects include the calm yet potent Modern Art Museum in Warsaw (to be featured on the magazine’s December 2024 cover), the Glenstone Museum in Potomac, Maryland, and the North Carolina Museum of Art. Through this profound approach, he creates more than just remarkable buildings—he creates remarkable places.
In an emotional speech upon receiving his recognition, Phifer highlighted the spirit of teamwork in his professional life, stating, “I’m standing here today on the shoulders of others… I absolutely love being an architect… and I love nothing more than working with my remarkable team—these are the folks that make it happen”.
The other individual award recipients accompanying Phifer were groundbreaking figures in the profession:
The Innovator of the Year was Caitlin Mueller (Associate Professor at MIT). Mueller was honored for her interdisciplinary work that combines architecture and engineering with computational methods to create Sustainable Design and high-performance structures, where she directs the Building Technology program at MIT.
Rising Professional was Carlos Cerezo Davila, Global Director of Sustainability at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF). Davila is recognized for his expertise in sustainable design and evidence-based building science, appreciating his contribution to the profession.
The ceremony also presented additional awards for built and unbuilt projects across 14 categories, ranging from modular supportive housing complexes in Los Angeles (Isla Intersections) to a wheel-shaped Mexican winery (Pictograma Winery).
This inaugural Architectural Record Awards series provides a strong vision for the industry by bringing together the best talents of the architectural profession with projects that are shaping the future of design.
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