AIA New Mexico, the State Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, bestowed its 2011 New Mexico Architecture Firm of the Year Award on Spears Architects of Santa Fe, at its biennial Design and Honor Awards Banquet during the AIA New Mexico State Convention hosted by AIA Santa Fe.

This award recognizes the continuing collaboration among individuals in a firm who have produced distinguished architecture over a period of ten years, and have made significant contributions to the American Institute of Architects, the profession and their community, and have transcended their local boundaries in making these contributions.

Spears Architects was founded by Beverley Spears, FAIA, in 1981. Ms. Spears is the sole owner of the firm and has seven employees, all of whom have been with the firm for at least seven years. Over the years, the firm has garnered thirty-seven awards and earned recognition from the city, state, and region. The firm is well known for its excellence in historic preservation, urban design, landscape architecture and sustainable design.