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The Detroit Chapter of the American Institute of Architects chose
its Young Architect of the Year. This award, reserved for an
architect less than 40 years of age, who has made exceptional
contributions to the profession, will be presented to Blake A.
Elderkin, AIA during AIA Detroit’s annual celebration of
architecture on November 16 at the Detroit Athletic Club.
Elderkin is being cited for his efforts to educate young architects
and help prepare them for the Architects Registration Exam. He is
the Intern Development Coordinator for AIA Michigan, a post he has
held since 1996. He leads by example giving young architects a
window into the profession. He shows them how to practice with
professionalism and integrity. This led to a seat on the Institutes
Associates Committee in Washington.
Elderkin’s interest in architecture began in high school with his
first job drafting house plans for a local lumber yard near his home
in Grand Rapids. Ultimately he earned a degree in architecture from
Lawrence Technological University and went to work for Albert Kahn
Associates in Detroit where he works as a project architect
specializing in healthcare. For the past ten years he has taught an
evening course in computer graphics at the University of Detroit
Mercy.
The American Institute of Architects Detroit, headed by Cynthia
Pozolo, AIA, is a chapter of the 75,000 member national
organization. The mission of the Honor Awards program is twofold, 1)
to show the public “What Architects Do” and to inform about the
value and importance of architectural excellence and 2) to enable
architects to better understand notable achievements so that
excellence becomes the standard. |
