It is with great pleasure that AIA New Mexico announces the winners of the 2007 Medals.

2007 Architects Medal – Richard Haas, AIA

2007 Silver Medal for Lifetime Achievement – Van Dorn Hooker, FAIA

We wish to thank the jury of AIA Fellows for their service: Jury Chair – C. Robert Campbell, FAIA and jurors Robert W. Peters, FAIA and Louis L. Weller, FAIA. The Medals were presented at the AIA New Mexico Convention Banquet by Bob Campbell and Tymn Waters.

Richard M. Haas, AIA has been awarded the American Institute of Architects New Mexico Chapter Architects Medal. This bronze medal is awarded to a member of AIA New Mexico for advancing the profession of architecture and representing the profession with social integrity and responsibility within the community and the profession. The medal was bestowed on Mr. Haas at the Awards Ceremony during the AIA New Mexico Convention recently held in Ruidoso, NM.

Haas was cited as a “leader among leaders,” having served as president of the AIA New Mexico Chapter for two terms. He co-chaired the Western Mountain Region 2002 Convention and is currently serving as co-chair of the WMR 2008 Convention to be held in Santa Fe. He currently serves as AIA New Mexico’s State Government Representative to AIA National. His extensive community involvement spans many organizations. He has chaired the New Mexico Space Alliance since 2003 and chaired the 2006 X-Prize Cup Space Expositions held in Las Cruces. He has raised funds for the Mesilla Valley Hospice, worked with Habitat for Humanity, and mentors pre-architectural students at Dona Ana Community College.

Some of his recent architecture projects include the La Mesa Fire Station, the Dona Ana County Veterans Memorial Wall, Columbia Elementary School, and Jardin de los Ninos, a daycare facility for homeless children.

Van Dorn Hooker FAIA has been awarded the American Institute of Architects New Mexico Chapter Silver Medal for Lifetime Achievement. This prestigious medal is the highest honor AIA New Mexico can bestow on an Architect. It recognizes his outstanding professional achievements and sense of social responsibility having significant impact on the profession of architecture and society. The Medal was bestowed on Mr. Hooker at the AIA New Mexico Awards Ceremony during its Convention recently held in Ruidoso, NM.

C. Robert Campbell FAIA, chair of the Medal Awards Jury, said: “Van Dorn is the ultimate renaissance architect in the truest sense. Not only a highly respected architect locally and nationally but an author, educator and an exquisite watercolorist.”

Mr. Hooker served as the UNM University Architect for 24 years fostering quality architecture in the public environment. He has authored several books including “Only in New Mexico: An Architectural History of the University of New Mexico.”

Among his many honors and awards, he has been named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a Fellow of the Association of University Architects and has received the Silver Medal from the Western Mountain Region of the American Institute of Architects.

Van Dorn Hooker’s contribution to architecture is probably best summed up by this statement: “Now that many of the trees we planted are maturing, and some of the long range intentions are apparent, I hope that this campus can demonstrate some of the values of architecture and of planning to all who use it. I hope that they will remember what they have seen here when, in a few years, they are the ones who hire architects and make environmental decision which affect us all. Most of all, I hope that this campus gives them a rich memory to keep with them as long as they live.”

Van Dorn Hooker, FAIA

Van Dorn Hooker, FAIA; Richard Haas, AIA and C. Robert Campbell, FAIA

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