AIA Detroit Selects Roberts as Its Young Architect of the Year

Detroit, MI, December 24, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The Detroit Chapter of the American Institute of Architects picked a Down River designer as its Young Architect of the Year. The award goes to Thomas M. Roberts, AIA. He is an advocate for urban development who built his own home in a redeveloping area of downtown Wyandotte. Chapter President Mark Nickita, AIA of Birmingham made the presentation during the Chapter’s annual celebration of architecture at the Detroit Institute of Arts. This award recognizes an architect for exceptional contributions to the profession who is less than 40 years of age.

Roberts has invested in his hometown community in many other ways and is an advisor to the Planning Commission and City Council. He is known for his inventive designs for modern structures as well as seamless additions to historic buildings.

After a stint on the east coast following his graduation from the University of Detroit Mercy, Roberts came back to Detroit and worked with some of the city’s leading architects; Luckenbach | Ziegelman and McIntosh Poris Associates in Birmingham; Kessler | Francis | Cardoza Architects and SmithGroup of Detroit.

Currently, he is a designer with GunnLevine Architects of Detroit and is also an adjunct professor of design at the School of Architecture at the University of Detroit Mercy.

As an active member of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, a preservation advocacy group headquartered in Lansing, he works to have a positive influence on the built environment and historic resources.

The American Institute of Architects Detroit is a chapter of the 83,000 member national organization. The mission of the Honor Awards program is twofold, 1) to show the public “What Architects Do” and to inform about the value and importance of architectural excellence and 2) to enable architects to better understand notable achievements so that excellence becomes the standard.

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