James Garrett, Jr., AIA, NOMA, and Nathan Johnson, AIA, NOMA, Receive AIA Minnesota 2020 Gold Medal

James Garrett, Jr., AIA, NOMA, and Nathan Johnson, AIA, NOMA, Receive AIA Minnesota 2020 Gold Medal

by: AIA Minnesota

James Garrett, Jr., AIA, NOMA, and Nathan Johnson, AIA, NOMA, are the joint recipients of the 2020 AIA Minnesota Gold Medal. This award from the American Institute of Architects Minnesota is one the highest honors bestowed by the organization, recognizing individuals whose work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture in Minnesota, and significant, positive impact on the Minnesota architecture community and culture. 

Garrett and Johnson are known to be, as one letter noted in support of their nomination, “fiercely passionate designers who work tirelessly to create architecture that heals relationships and confronts issues of access, displacement, and segregation present in our built environment that negatively impact how communities live and thrive.”

Gold Medal candidates are nominated by their peers and evaluated on the degree to which they have: demonstrated great depth and breadth, having a cumulative effect on the profession of architecture in Minnesota; addressed the future of architecture while honoring its tradition; transcended or united specific areas of expertise; and become widely known—by architects, designers, educators, and the public—for the quality of their work. Additional selection considerations are aspects of the nominees’ work or life experience that reflect contributions of special interest to AIA Minnesota, such as diversity, sustainability, architectural education, and mentoring of emerging professionals, and demonstration of exemplary character and ethics.