2025 Special Award Recipients

Young Architect Award | Chris Peterson

Chris Peterson has built a career defined by design leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to advancing the profession. A graduate of Penn State, Chris gained early experience at leading local firms, where he developed a foundation in innovative design and collaborative practice.  At Hord Coplan Macht, he has served as Project Architect and/or Design Lead on over a dozen educational facilities, many of which have received AIA awards at the local and regional levels. His work on the DC Bilingual Addition, Murch Elementary School, and Morgan State University’s residence
hall exemplifies his ability to bring clarity, thoughtful detailing, and community-focused design to every project.   Beyond his built work, Chris plays a vital role in firm culture and professional development. He co-founded HCM’s Design Process Exchange, a platform for elevating design dialogue across the firm’s market sectors. He also leads design pinups, mentors four junior staff members, and organizes internal workshops on software and visualization tools. Since 2019, he has coordinated design award submissions for the K–12 and higher education studios, helping to amplify the voices and work of his colleagues. With a growing body of award-winning work, a demonstrated commitment to mentorship, and a passion for elevating design dialogue, Chris Peterson represents the best of what the next generation of architects can offer: thoughtful, community-minded leadership with a lasting impact on practice and people alike.

Presidents Award | Jim Thompson

Jim was a past president of AIA Central Pennsylvania.  He was passionate about his chosen career in architecture, leaving his mark on numerous buildings and spaces during his 40 years of practice in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, PA. While he specialized in K-12 educational buildings, his greatest joy came from mentoring aspiring interns, helping shape the next generation of architects.  Many members of AIA Central PA have fond memories of interations and mentorship with Jim.

He was honored to serve as an elected member (and once president) of the Harrisburg School District Board. A committed community leader, he also lent his expertise to the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Planning Board and the After School Program Board. Additionally, he held leadership positions, including past president and board member of the DePaul School for Hearing and Speech and the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

As an educational counselor for MIT, he interviewed prospective students; was on the steering committee of the Communities Practicing Resiliency; and served in multiple capacities as an alumnus of Theta Chi Fraternity.