The Rochester chapter of The American Institute of Architects
Mission
AIA Rochester’s mission is to promote the profession and practice of Architecture in the Greater Rochester Area. AIA Rochester is dedicated to providing its members opportunities for professional advancement, community involvement, and promoting design excellence in the built environment.
Chapter Awards
Emerging Rochester Architect of the Year est. 2009
2009 Allen Rossignol
2010 Michelle Murnane
2011 Daniel Edgell
2012 Nicole Martin
2013 Jason Streb
2014 Ken Glazer
2015 Michael Short
2016 Kristin Purdy
2017 Dustin Welch
2018 Jessica Kruse
2019 Jamie Bucci
2020 Barbara Burke
2021 Stacy Welch
2022 Sara DeSalvo
2023 Elizabeth Reynolds
2024 Bryan Toepfer
Volunteer of the Year est. 2017
2017 Caitlin Ellis
2018 Max Auklin
2019 Barbara Burke
2020 Jason Streb
2021 Michael Trapanovski
2022 Christina Fluman
2023 Danielle I. Rupert
2023 Lisa Fingar
2024 Samantha Towner
Partner of the Year est. 2020
2020 Tremco
2021 B & L Wholesale Supply
2022 Cannan Alexander Scott
2023 M/E Engineering, P.C.
2024 The Landmark Society of Western New York
AIA Rochester Past Presidents
1968 Michael Doran
1969 Myron Starks
1970 Marvin Meyer
1971 John A Fayko
1972 William Burwell
1973 Theodore Epping
1974 Richard Dohr
1975 Charles V. Northrup
1976 Martha Gates
1977 Robert J. Macon
1978 Ronald E. Shepland
1979 Michael Doran
1980 John Ungar
1981 Jules J. Chiavaroli
1982 Thomas Wurzer
1983 Alan M. Knutowicz
1984 Robert J. Macon
1985 Bart Valvano
1986 L. William Chapin
1987 Daniel E. Mossien
1988 G. William LaDue
1989 Dieter Wirth
1990 J. Thomas Morton
1991 Roger Johanson
1992 Richard M. Pospula
1993 James B. Durfee
1994 Linda M. Stango
1995 G. William LaDue
1996 Daniel E. Mossien
1997 Randall F. Peacock
1998 Wendy A. Steesy
1999 Stuart B. Chait
2000 Bud Knapp
2001 Robert Healy
2002 Stephen Takatch
2003 Timothy Furgeson
2004 Allen P. Rossignol
2005 Richard M. Pospula
2006 Todd M. Liebert
2007 Laura M. Cooney
2008 Richard M. Pospula
2009 Robert A. Healy
2010 Daniel L. Edgell
2011 Penny J. Haley
2012 Jules J. Chiavaroli
2013 Michelle M. Murnane
2014 Peter Wehner
2015 Bud Knapp
2016 James Yarrington
2017 Nate Rozzi
2018 Jeffrey Roloson
2019 Jason Streb
2020 Jennifer Takatch
2021 Andrew Petrosky
2022 Stacy Welch
2023 Jay Woodcock
2024 Jamie Bucci
AIA New York State Past Presidents
AIA New York State is the voice of the architectural community and a resource for its members in service to society.
It is the American Institute of Architects New York State’s (AIANYS) Mission to represent architects and the profession of architecture in government and provide services to the membership. Architects within the profession saw a need for representation, to achieve influence and maintain the integrity of the profession for their needs in governmental bodies.
The AIANYS Board of Directors comes together as a means of a cumulative voice for the 8000+ members and oversee the various operational aspects and activities. www.aianys.org/about/mission/
The individuals named below were AIA Rochester members while serving as president of the AIANYS Board.
1947/49 C. Storrs Barrows, FAIA
1951/53 Donald Q. Faragher, FAIA
1965 Allen Macomber, AIA
1989 Myron Starks, AIA
AIA Rochester History
At almost 400 members, AIA Rochester makes a difference in our community
In 2019, the Rochester Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Rochester) celebrated 100 years as a professional organization. In 1919, a handful of local architects formed the Rochester Society of Architects. In 1962 the growing Society banded with regional colleagues to become the Central New York chapter of the AIA, and six years later the architects of Monroe County received a charter to form AIA Rochester, as it is known today. AIA Rochester has expanded to include Wayne, Livingston, Ontario, Yates, Seneca, and Allegany counties.
Today AIA Rochester has nearly 400 professional architects, intern architects, and affiliates, which is one of the highest percentages of membership nationally. Its active young professional group, Emerging Rochester Architects (ERA), comprises over 20% of the membership. AIA Rochester’s mission is to promote the profession and practice of architecture in the Greater Rochester area. AIA Rochester is dedicated to providing its members opportunities for professional advancement, community involvement, and promoting design excellence in the built environment.
AIA Rochester members are dedicated citizens who add value to the Rochester community both through their built works and their volunteerism. In 2013, AIA Rochester designed and then partnered with ACEC to fund and construct a Habitat for Humanity home in Rochester. Two years later, the collaborative built a second Habitat house that was the first LEED Platinum home in our area. AIA Rochester members offer their expertise on local government boards, in community design charrettes, and provide educational opportunities to students via the Explorers Program in Architecture with the Seneca Waterways Council and the Girls in Architecture programs.
To celebrate its Centennial, AIA Rochester designed several dynamic activities to engage the public. Members participated in ImagineRIT with the RIT Master of Architecture students to showcase the profession and new technologies such as 3D printing. They hosted a Centennial Celebration of design in conjunction with their annual Design Awards Gala at the Port of Rochester, which highlights the best projects by local architects, including the Mayor’s Award recipient. AIA Rochester collaborated with IIDA NY Rochester City Center Chapter to present a show at Fashion Week of Rochester which featured costumes inspired by Rochester landmarks. The Installations at Midtown Commons explored the concept of shelter and showcased the creativity and visual application of critical thinking that is readily available from architects right here in Rochester. It is paramount to note that the majority of the leadership and participation in the Centennial endeavors has been by young professionals, which is indicative of a bright future for the development of our city.
In 2025, we continue to build upon the momentum and our engagement with our community developed via our Centennial Celebration. We will build upon previous events and engage in new endeavors. We look forward to working with all of our members to continue to grow the role of architects and architecture within Rochester.