AIA Missouri has a long-standing history of recognizing leadership and service.  Beginning in 1975, the award presented by AIA Missouri was entitled Architect of the Year and recognized outstanding leaders such as David Brey, FAIA of Kansas City and David Pearce, AIA and George Kassabaum, FAIA of St. Louis.

From 1980 to 1987, the name of the award was changed to the George I. Barnett Award honoring a prominent architect from the 1800’s whose work included the Missouri Governor’s Mansion, structures of the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Old Courthouse. The Henry Shaw Mausoleum and many others.  During that period recipients of the award included Tom Teasdale, FAIA, Clarence Kivett, FAIA, AC Esterly, AIA, Dick Stahl, AIA , Frank Grimaldi, AIA and others. 

In 1988, the Board chose to change the award to reflect the true focus of the award and it is now called the “Distinguished Service Award”. 

Recipients of this award in the past have been recognized for their strong record of public service and leadership.  This leadership may have been exhibited in service to community affairs, state affairs or political action.  The leadership may also have been exhibited in strong contributions and leadership to the American Institute of Architects at any or all levels -- local, state and/or national.  However, a focus is on recognizing members who have excelled on the state and national level. Chapters generally provide recognition of members with high performance on the local level. Recipients have also made powerful contributions in their own professional achievements and their image to the public has reflected the outstanding role of the architect. Architects from all parts of the state have been honored. 

Nominations for this award can be generated from one of our component chapters or from an individual member.  Nominations are made by submitting a nominating letter from the chapter or a member and documentation of the nominee’s achievements to the state Executive Director. Selection is made by a majority vote of the AIA Missouri Board of Directors. Recognition is at the State CELEBRATE.