Tonight’s AIA South Dakota Design Awards ceremony kicked off the 2025 Annual Convention with the focus squarely where it belongs: members’ achievements in creativity, problem-solving, and contributions to the field of architecture.
The quality across all 22 submittals offered a look at multiple styles and scopes of work. But the night also spotlighted the people behind the projects, honoring individuals at different points in their design careers. Read more here about Nominated Award winners and the AIA SD 2025 Champion of Architecture.
Design Awards jury co-chairs Joshua Hemberger, AIA, and Leah Rudolphi, AIA, shared insights on the entries before unveiling this year’s winning submittals. The two are Associate Principals and Owners at Substance Architecture in Des Moines, Iowa.
The AIA SD Design Awards are unique among honors for professional groups because AIA SD members’ work is on display in communities across South Dakota and beyond. Their efforts help plan and develop the state’s landscape, creating environments where neighbors come together to work, play, learn, heal, and worship.
Incoming 2026 AIA President Illya Azaroff, FAIA, joined members, industry partners, and guests for the event. “Tonight we are recognizing people who have created something unique—something that moves us to something better,” he said.
Jurors identified three projects as the state’s top design winners. They chose one Honor Award, which represent the highest level of distinction exhibits overall design excellence. They also selected two Merit Awards, which recognize distinguished achievement in design.
Azaroff, Rudolphi, and Hemberger will be among the featured speakers during the Annual Conference sessions, which run Sept. 11-12 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Garrett Peters, AIA, Vice President of Facilities for Avera Health and Nila R. Leiserowitz, FASID, FIID, a global leader in interior design, complete the slate of keynote speakers for the conference.
Congratulations to this year’s Honor and Merit winners!
Honor Award
Cankdeska Cikana Community College Cultural Heritage Center
Open and accessible cultural heritage center with the vision of sharing cultural history and traditions of the tribe with future generations through programming and the display of historic tribal artifacts. Designed by JLG Architects for Cankdeska Cikana Community College. Photo credit: Chad Ziemendorf. 
Open and accessible cultural heritage center with the vision of sharing cultural history and traditions of the tribe with future generations through programming and the display of historic tribal artifacts. Designed by JLG Architects for Cankdeska Cikana Community College. Photo credit: Chad Ziemendorf.
Merit Award
4th & Main Office
The project is a 2,800 SF workspace renovation for a client in the design industry, and an exterior facade replacement. Designed by JLG Architects for the firm. Photo credit: Chad Ziemendorf. 
The project is a 2,800 SF workspace renovation for a client in the design industry, and an exterior facade replacement. Designed by JLG Architects for the firm. Photo credit: Chad Ziemendorf.
Merit Award
Lake Brophy Welcome Center
Boosting Brophy Park’s status as cherished community center, this building supports year-round recreation and enriches park experiences by creating a nature-focused, central hub for park activities. Designed by JLG Architects for Douglas County Public Works Department. Photo credit: Amdak Productions, LLC. 
Boosting Brophy Park’s status as cherished community center, this building supports year-round recreation and enriches park experiences by creating a nature-focused, central hub for park activities. This view is from “The Surgeon” MTB Trail. Designed by JLG Architects for Douglas County Public Works Department. Photo credit: Amdak Productions, LLC.
Here’s a video recognizing all of the 2025 AIA SD Design Awards nominees:
