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AIA New Orleans Design Awards 2026

RMH
Richardson Memorial Hall, Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment

AIA New Orleans 2026 Design Awards include 6 Tulane-affiliated teams

august 24, 2026
By Rawad nahhas

The 2026 AIA New Orleans Design Awards Gala was an unforgettable evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration, bringing together more than 200 architects, designers, industry partners, clients, and community leaders to honor the outstanding work shaping our region’s built environment. Centered on this year’s theme, Reflections, the event celebrated the projects, people, and ideas that continue to define New Orleans architecture while looking toward the future of design. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed incredible live music from the Sam Johnson Quartet, whose energetic and sophisticated performance created the perfect backdrop for a night of recognition and celebration.

Twelve awarded projects included teams with Tulane faculty, alumni and students. Scroll below to see the full list of Tulane-affiliated winners.

Adaptive Reuse and Renovation, Award of Honor

RMH
Richardson Memorial Hall, Tulane University by Trapolin-Peer Architects

Trapolin-Peer Architects Project Team:

  • Paula Peer, Sarah Simonson (M.Arch *12), Photographer Alan Karchmer (M.Arch ’78)

Small Scale, Award of Merit

Small Center
Growing Local Pavilion by the Albert and Tina Small Center for Collaborative Design

Small Center Project Team:

  • Aliyah Murph (M.Arch *26), Amanda Martell (candidate B.Arch ’27), Cooper Pertchik (candidate B.Arch ’27), Juliet Hess (M.Arch *26), Jonathan Hall (M.Arch *26, MSRED *26), Javier Castillo(candidate B.Arch ’27), Megan Schlief (B.Arch ’26), Luke Gannon (BSA ’26, BS Real Estate ’26), Ella Comstock (BSA ’26), Emilie Taylor Welty (Associate Professor, Architecture Program Director, Design-Build Manager, M.Arch *06), Ben Derlan (Adjunct Lecturer), Ann Yoachim (Professor of Practice), Nick Jenisch (Adjunct Lecturer, Associate Director for Urban Design, B.Arch ’03), Brandon Surtain (Community Engagement Assistant Director, M.Arch *20, MSRED *20) 

Emerging Professionals, Young Architects Award

Galvin
Calvin Gallion, studio^RISE

Historic Preservation-Restoration, Award of Honor

Green house
The Green House Inn by CICADA

CICADA Project Team:

  • Seamus McGuire, James Catalano, Lane Kozicz (M.Arch *18), Paulo Perkins

Historic Preservation-Restoration, Award of Commendation

CAci
N Rampart Guesthouse by CICADA

CICADA Project Team:

  • Seamus McGuire, Paulo Perkins, Lane Kozicz (M.Arch *18)

Civic & Institutional Design, Honor Award

The Chapel of St. Ignatius, Gayle and Tom Benson Jesuit Center, Loyola University, Trahan Architects

Trahan Architects Project Team:

  • Trey Trahan, Brad McWhirter, Robbie Eleazer, Charles Weimer (M.Arch ’15), Conner Bryan, David Sweere, James Babin, Jarri Hasnain, Nader Wallerich, Ryan Barnette, Sheena Garcia

Multi-Family Residential Design, Merit Award, Sustainability Achievement

Uptown Residence Hall, Loyola University, EskewDumezRipple 

EskewDumezRipple Project Team:

  • Jack Sawyer, Cynthia Dubberley (Professor of Practice, M.Arch ‘98), Katie Nguyen (M.Arch *16), Charles Weimer (M.Arch ’15), Jeannine Ford, Zach Chance, Mike Johnson, Amrita Khosla, Kaley Migues, Aidan Taylor 

Commercial - Large Scale, Merit Award

River Chase II, EskewDumezRipple 

EskewDumezRipple Project Team:

  • José Alvarez (M.Arch ‘97), Jill Traylor, Mark Hash, Brad Michael, Collyn Clark, Mignon Antoine 

Interior Architecture, Merit Award

 34 Restaurant + Bar, AQ Studios

AQ Studios Project Team:

  • Philip Goldberg (M.Arch ’09), Charles Ward, Jr., Kelly Nagy

Adaptive Reuse & Renovation, Commendation Award

Architectural Firm Office Renovation, EskewDumezRipple 

EskewDumezRipple Project Team:

  • Jill Traylor, Andy Redmon, Ian O’Cain (B.Arch ’13), Collyn Clark, Mignon Antoine, Samantha Lindley (M.Arch *22) 

People’s Choice Award

Student Union, McNeese State University, AQ Studios

AQ Studios Project Team:

  • Philip Goldberg (M.Arch ’09), Chad Abell, Gregory Damico, Khoa Le, Kait Narby, Donnie Matherne 

Industry Award

Living Learning Center, Xavier University , VPG: A Joint Venture

VPG: A Joint Venture Project Team:

  • Jeffrey Stolier (M.Arch *08), Brian Bertucci, Elliot Sauvinet, Jim Burgard, Jackson Wemmitt, Traci Champagne, Matt Moore, Trey Ledet