Post by HKS, Inc.

Congratulations are in order! We are proud to share that our own Amanda Barton AIA, RID, NOMA, LEED AP, WELL AP, LFA, is the 2026 recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. As a Vice President and Project Designer at HKS, Amanda champions resilience, sustainability and equity across the architectural profession, integrating these values into her work, advocacy and mentoring initiatives. Throughout her career, she has made contributions spanning across local, state, and national levels. In the same spirit, she continues to support her local community by serving on the Board of Directors of the South Florida chapter of NOMA and sits on the Architecture Review Board of the Village of Bal Harbour. As the youngest president of AIA Miami in 2023, she helped elevate critical issues, fostered record-breaking membership growth. She is a consistent advocate for diversity, inclusion and young professionals, from bringing the SAY IT LOUD exhibition to Florida to amplify the work of underrepresented architects to her involvement with the National Organization of Minority Architects, her mentorship of emerging professionals and her revitalization of AIA Miami’s one-on-one mentorship program. Amanda’s interests in sustainability and resilience have driven her career both personally and professionally. Through her impact on improving the Resilience Design Toolkit, which was co-published by HKS and AIA, she has given other architects a way to make an impact on their communities. A strong advocate for architects, Amanda has personally advocated issues related to architecture and sea level rise at the state and federal government. “Amanda is one of AIA Florida’s youngest and most successful leaders. She mentors and encourages her colleagues to become involved and participate in Leadership Programs, including as chair of Miami’s Leadership Development Program. Amanda is the type of leader that the Young Architects Award honors. She represents the future of the AIA and the profession,” her nomination letter read. Join us in celebrating Amanda! Learn more: https://bit.ly/4xF5ioO #Architecture #AIA26 #Award The American Institute of Architects (AIA)