ADAM HARDING AWARDED AIA WESTERN MOUNTAIN REGION 2015 YOUNG ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR

Adam Harding, an architect at Denver-based Roth Sheppard Architects, has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects' six-state region for exceptional leadership

Architect Adam Harding, AIA, LEED AP was recognized on October 17th by the American Institute of Architects' Western Mountain Region with their 2015 Young Architect of the Year honor award.

During a gala awards ceremony at the organization's 2015 Practice+Design Conference in Keystone, Colorado, Harding, an architect in the state since 2011, received this prestigious award designed to "recognize those individuals, who at an early stage in their architectural career, have shown exceptional leadership in design, education and/or service to the profession."

Harding, who was also recognized as the AIA-Denver Young Architect of the Year in 2014, believes that "a great architect is a great communicator and a leader who evolves into his or her authentic self by defining one's values and leadership principles." He has aspired to fulfill these goals since beginning his studies in Environmental Design at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2000. Since graduating in 2004, he has taken a holistic approach to the practice of architecture by taking on various leadership roles within the profession and community organizations. He also became licensed as an architect at the age of 29, an extraordinary accomplishment at such a young age.

"Adam's work is impactful beyond the confines of a specific project. It influences the entire office and our desire to raise the level of design expectation throughout the region," said Jeffery Sheppard, AIA, co-founder and design principal of Roth Sheppard Architects. "It is rare that a young architect has the ability, passion and conviction to influence the culture of an office and the environment that surrounds us. Adam has done this, not only with his design and management skills but also with his dedication to improvement."

Herb Roth, FAIA, Sheppard's partner and cofounder of Roth Sheppard Architects added, "I have known Adam personally and professionally for over 15 years. He is an exceptional individual and leader, and a perceptive architect with boundless energy, discipline, dedication and passion for his work and the profession of architecture. He is a wonderful role model for today's young architects and embodies the leadership, accomplishment and professional traits inherent in this award."

"It is a huge honor to have been presented this award by my Western Mountain Regional peers," said Harding. "[…something about how this will impact what you do moving forward, etc.]."

Over the last 11 years, Harding has overseen a number of award-winning public and private sector projects as a designer and project architect at Roth Sheppard. His exceptional design and quality solutions are demonstrated through projects like: Izakaya Den restaurant (Denver, CO), MillerCoors Blue Moon Brewer (Denver, CO), Modmarket restaurant (Boulder, CO), multiple Tokyo Joe’s restaurants [Denver, CO), Breckenridge Brewery’s Ale House at Amato’s restaurant, Riverside Library and Cultural Center (Evans, CO), and the Houston Police Department’s Fondren Station (Houston, TX).