The AIA Columbus Committee on Design is pleased to introduce the distinguished jury for the 2026 Architecture Awards. Representing nationally recognized expertise in architectural design, education, sustainability, preservation, and urbanism, these jurors will bring a wealth of experience and thoughtful perspective to the evaluation of this year’s submissions.
Kirsten Ring Murray, FAIA, will serve as the jury chair. Since joining the firm in 1989, principal/owner Kirsten Ring Murray has brought a civic and human-centered approach to Olson Kundig’s intentionally focused practice — spanning hospitality, multifamily residential, adaptive reuse, and the cultural institutions that give communities their character. Kirsten views her practice as an opportunity to directly impact those who inhabit these spaces while also expanding the scale and reach of Olson Kundig’s work.
Claire Weisz, FAIA, Hon. FRAIC, Hon. ASLA, is a founding principal of WXY architecture + urban design, a New York City– and Toronto-based studio dedicated to creating equitable, vibrant, and healthy buildings, places, and systems. WXY’s recent award-winning work has been recognized by AIA, APA and ASLA both nationally and locally. She is also a co-founder and former co-executive director of The Design Trust for Public Space. She has been honored with the prestigious Medal of Honor by the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 2018, the Women in Architecture Award by Architectural Record in 2019, and the Engineering News Record’s New York Legacy Award in 2024.
Carl Elefante FAIA, FAPT is known worldwide for coining the phrase: “the greenest building is…one that is already built,” Carl Elefante is Principal Emeritus with Quinn Evans, the 2024 recipient of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Firm Award. In 2018, Carl served as President of AIA, the culmination of many leadership positions in architecture, historic preservation, and sustainable design organizations. In 2023, Carl was the inaugural visiting scholar at the University of Notre Dame Michael Christopher Duda Center for Preservation, Resilience, and Sustainability. Carl is a Senior Fellow with Architecture 2030 and a charter member of the Climate Heritage Network. Carl is a Fellow of both the AIA and Association for Preservation Technology International (APT).
The awards ceremony will take place on October 29 at the Columbus Museum of Art. We look forward to celebrating the best in architectural design across our region. See the Awards Ceremony save the date!