Honoring Excellence at the 2025 Conference, Expo and Design Awards
During the 2025 Conference, Expo and Design Awards program at Armstrong World Industries, AIA Central PA recognized two outstanding members with Special Awards. These awards celebrate the people behind the profession of Architecture – Those who not only elevate the built environment through design, but, also share their talents to strengthen and enrich communities.
2025 President’s Award Recipient | James R. Thompson, AIA
The President’s Award is presented in recognition of an individual’s significand contributions to the community and the practice of architecture. This Year’s award was posthumously presented to James “Jim” R. Thompson, AIA who passed away in November 2024 at the age of 67. His wife, Jane Thompson, accepted the honor on his behalf.
Jim’s career left a lasting imprint on Central Pennsylvania architects, clients and community members. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon and MIT, Jim was admired for his wit, insight, and unwavering dedication to public education. Known as the “#Harrisburg Owl” for his signature email sign-off, he campaigned for school board as “the wise choice” and lived up to that promise through tireless service.
Even amid illness, Jim remained committed to improving the Harrisburg School District-helping to lead the superintendent search that resulted in the appointment of Dr. Benjamin Henry in August 2024. Colleagues praised him as “an extraordinary leader, a steadfast warrior for public education, and a tireless advocate for students and famlies.”
Professionally, Jim’s practice focused on educational, healthcare, and residential projects. Notably, he collaborated with CRA on the award-winning Steele Elementary School, a project he was able to tour shortly before his passing. His vision, leadership, an passion will be remembered as a profound legacy in both architecture and community service.
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2025 Young Architect Award Recipient | Chris Peterson, AIA
The Young Architect Award recognizes an emerging professional who demonstrates exceptional leadership in service to the profession, community, design, planning, or education.
This year’s recipient, Chris Peterson, AIA, has distinguished himself through award-winning design leadership, a strong commitment to mentorship, and active engagement in advancing the profession. Specializing in educational facilities, Chris has served as Project Architect or Design Lead on more than a dozen award-winning projects, including the DC Bilingual Addition, Murch Elementary School, and Morgan State University’s residence hall.
At HCM, Chris co-founded the firm’s Design Process Exchange, leads design pin-ups, mentors junior staff, organizes workshops, and coordinates award submissions for K–12 and higher education studios.
Beyond practice, he has dedicated nearly a decade to mentoring students through ACE Mentor Baltimore, Morgan State University, and elementary school career fairs—helping inspire the next generation of designers. In 2024, Chris became a certified CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) practitioner, reflecting his belief in design’s power to shape behavior and create safer, more resilient communities.
Chris’s growing body of work and his leadership within the profession exemplify the promise and impact of the next generation of architects.
