The North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA NC) Emerging Professional Award is meant to honor associate members and licensed members of less than 10 years, and recognizes members who have already demonstrated noteworthy achievements in their careers. This year, AIANC was pleased to present the Emerging Professional Award to Billy Askey, AIA.
Askey holds both Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture and a Bachelor of Architecture from North Carolina State University. During his time as a student he was one of 25 aspiring architects to have their essays chosen to attend a national conference. He also completed a project along with two classmates during his undergrad career where they designed and installed tensile fabric sails at a local restaurant to help with acoustical issues.
Currently, Billy is a co-founder and a principal at EVOKE Studio located in Durham. With EVOKE he has created and completed projects including the MLK, Jr. Recreation + Aquatic Center, the Northwest Library, and the Auburn Avenue Research Library.
During Askey’s career, he has been an exceptional teacher, mentor, and scholar. His contributions to the Triangle Area’s design community include being a Professor of the Practice at North Carolina State University, a member of the Park Scholarship Regional Selection Committee, and a mentor in the AIA Triangle Young Architects Forum Mentor Program.
“Billy is really passionate. He doesn’t do anything half way, if he’s going to do it, he’s going to do it all the way. So I think that is probably one of the most admirable things about him, he’s fully invested in anything he does” said Edwin Harris, AIA.
“He is one of the most caring and one of the best designers I know. He’s been working at NC State for the past several years… I can tell you that our students really love him. They love him because he really is an incredibly talented designer, one who cares about the students, and I’ve heard many of them in student conversations bring up Billy as one of the professors they love” said David Hill, FAIA