AIA Honor Awards

Nominations

Please complete a nomination form for each nominee and accompany it with a PowerPoint presentation supporting your nomination. The presentation should incorporate pertinent documentation and include a written justification of approximately 300 words, outlining the reasons why the nominee deserves to be honored with the award. The nominator may choose to keep the nomination confidential from the nominee or may choose to work with the nominee in submitting the nomination. Self-nominations are also welcome.

The Awards Committee will evaluate all nominations received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026 and select awards only in those categories for which qualified nominees are submitted. Awards will be determined by democratic majority vote of the Awards committee, and all decisions are final. The Honor Awards are to be presented at the AIA Central Oklahoma Architecture Awards Celebration on Friday, November 13 at the Petroleum Club in downtown Oklahoma City.

The William Wayne Caudill Award – for Outstanding Member

William Wayne Caudill, FAIA was the only Oklahoma born and Oklahoma educated architect to win the AIA Gold Medal Award. As Caudill symbolized the complete architect in being an innovator, educator, practitioner, leader and compassionate architect; it seems fitting that this award should bear his name.

This category is meant to recognize and honor an individual AIA Central Oklahoma member who has displayed a long-standing commitment to the betterment of the profession and the well-being of architects in the region, and who has dedicated extraordinary time and talent to this end.

The Solomon Andrew Layton Award- Firm of the Year

Solomon Andrew Layton (1864-1943) the most noted architect of early-day Oklahoma City created designs for many of the States’ most notable structures including buildings that still remain today; the Braniff Building, the Medical Arts Building, the Skirvin Hotel and the Oklahoma State Capitol Building, one of his outstanding works. His efforts in creating lasting Architecture for the community best exemplify the qualities of his award.

To recognize an architectural or architectural/engineering firm, or individual practitioner which, has distinguished itself over the past four years, to the betterment of the profession, AIA and the community, through leadership, vision and design. The Firm of the Year nomination should demonstrate their leadership, volunteerism and service to the profession, to AIA and to their community, as well as their impact on the community through design.

The Keystone Award

As long as arches have been a part of architectural vernacular, they have required the placement of the keystone (the top stone or brick at the peak of the arch) to make the arch element realize its full potential.

We will give this award to recognize a general contracting firm, a building subcontracting firm, a tradesman, or an industry supplier which has displayed a consistent level of quality in their area of practice that exceeds normal standards, and elevates the creative design of the architect by cooperation and skill.

Catherine Montgomery Preservation Award
(Sponsored by the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture)

Catherine Montgomery, AIA was a passionate leader and advocate for Historic Preservation and played an integral part assisting architects and developers in saving buildings and places for future generations. Her expertise and unique voice played a role in many historic structures across the State and especially in Oklahoma City. 

Presented to individuals, businesses or organizations within and outside the profession who have committed their time and talent to preservation in the Central Oklahoma area.

B.H. Prasad Honorary Award

B.H. Prasad was a longtime supporter and friend of the architectural profession. He showed his commitment to the architects through his work at OG&E and through his many contributions to the AIA Central Oklahoma Chapter. B.H. unselfishly gave his time, energy and resources to the betterment of the profession. 

Presented to individuals, businesses, or organizations within and outside the profession who, through dedication of time, talent and resources have contributed to the betterment of the architectural profession, the community and the built environment.

Young Professional Award
This category is meant to recognize and honor an individual AIA Central Oklahoma Associate or Young Architect member, who has graduated within the past 10 years, for service to the Central Oklahoma architecture community as a whole, including service to AIA, the profession or public service at this early stage in their career.

Robert M. Lawrence Volunteer Award

Robert M. Lawrence, FAIA was a long-standing member and past president of AIA Central Oklahoma. In addition, Robert is the only member in the state to serve as National AIA President, which he did in 1983. Robert gave so much of his time and talent to the American Institute of Architects. 

Awarded to an individual AIA Central Oklahoma member or non-member who has exemplified the unselfishness of volunteering of his/her time and talents to promote the programs of the AIA COC throughout the past two years.