Created in 2021, as we envision the future of architecture, AIA North Carolina wants to highlight and celebrate workplaces that foster growth and opportunities for Emerging Professionals (EPs) to engage in the profession and in our communities. The AIA North Carolina – Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Award and Certification was developed to honor architecture firms that create supportive, career-advancing environments for EPs to flourish.

Certification will be granted annually to architecture firms that foster the growth of diverse, creative, resilient, and knowledgeable architects. The Outstanding Award will be presented annually to firms that demonstrate they go above and beyond to offer superior support and opportunities to EPs in other exceptional ways.

The recipients of 2022 Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Certifications are Boomerang Design, DLR Group, Hanbury, and Perkins&Will

The 2022 Outstanding Emerging Professional Friendly Firm is awarded to Szostak Design.