The 2026 Celebration unfolded inside the new Centennial Park Pavilion, a civic gathering space that reflects the power of thoughtful design to bring people together. As we recognized the projects shaping Middle Tennessee today, we gathered within a place designed to serve Nashville for years to come—a fitting reminder that architecture’s impact extends far beyond the moment a project is completed. For one evening, the Pavilion became a meeting place for the people who imagine, design, build, and champion the spaces that define our community.
Before the awards were announced, the projects themselves took center stage.
Throughout the evening, guests explored a gallery of this year’s Design Awards submissions, offering a closer look at the ideas, details, and design decisions behind the work. The gallery invited attendees to engage with projects beyond their finished photographs—to consider the challenges they address, the communities they serve, and the creative thinking that brought them to life. It was also an opportunity to recognize something that can be easy to overlook: behind every completed project is a team of people whose work deserves to be seen.
A LEGACY OF DESIGN. A CAREER OF IMPACT.
Some contributions to architecture are measured not only in buildings, but in the people, practices, and possibilities they help shape. During the Celebration, AIA Middle Tennessee and its Academy of Architecture for Healthcare Committee honored Bryan Seely with the AAH Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his enduring contributions to healthcare design and a career marked by leadership, collaboration, and mentorship.
Presented every four years, this special recognition honors individuals whose influence extends beyond individual projects to advance healthcare environments and the profession itself. As the evening celebrated exceptional work being created today, this recognition offered an opportunity to reflect on the lasting impact of those who have helped shape the work—and the people—who will carry it forward.
Read more about Bryan Seely’s recognition →
Great places begin long before the first foundation is poured. They begin with people who recognize the potential of an idea, believe in what it could mean for their community, and help bring it into the world.
The Nashville Center for Architecture + Design (NCA+D) Nashville Hitmaker Award recognized the vision, collaboration, and commitment that helped make the new Centennial Park Pavilion a reality. Awarded to Metro Nashville Parks and the Centennial Park Conservancy, the recognition honored the collective efforts behind a civic space designed to welcome, connect, and serve Nashville.
There was something especially meaningful about presenting this recognition within the very place it celebrated. The Pavilion was no longer just an idea or a drawing. It was a place filled with people, conversation, and celebration—a living example of what becomes possible when a community invests in thoughtful design.
Because a great idea is only the beginning. What we build together is what lasts.
BEHIND EVERY GREAT CELEBRATION IS A COMMUNITY THAT SHOWS UP.
An evening like this doesn’t happen by accident. From the first planning conversations to the final moments of the Celebration, AIA Middle Tennessee’s Committee on Design helped shape an experience worthy of the work being recognized.
Their time, expertise, creativity, and commitment helped bring together an evening that celebrated not only design excellence, but the people and relationships that strengthen our profession.
Alongside our sponsors, Corporate Partners, volunteers, jurors, and participating firms, their contributions made the 2026 Celebration possible.
To everyone who helped bring this evening to life: thank you for making room to celebrate the work—and one another.
Design Awards and Speaker Series
The Committee on Design is an AIA Knowledge Community and an active AIAMidTN committee that plans and executes the annual Celebration of Architecture & Design Awards, and our Speaker Series (which serves as our local chapter meeting). These events would not be possible without the hard work of the committee at the local level. Interested in volunteering? Please reach out to lindsay@aiamidtn.org to be connected!
Liaisons
Board Liaison: Michael Murdock, AIA
Members
2026-2027 Committee Members
Chair: Halie Chandler, AIA
Anthony Monica, AIA
Dale Brackeen, AIA
Daniel Cremin, AIA
Ellen Fusion, AIA
Kate O’Neil, AIA
Lee Davis, AIA
Michaila Crislip, AIA
Michael Vineyard, AIA
Nick Dryden, AIA
Phillip Powers, AIA
Become A Partner
Click HERE to visit the AIA Middle Tennessee Corporate Partner Program page, where you can schedule an appointment or request the brochure to learn more information. This is the best way to support your local Committee on Design!
