AIANYS Honors RECORD Deputy Editor Joann Gonchar with 2025 President’s Award
On January 29, the New York State Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIANYS) saluted the 2025 recipients of its Honors Awards program at a ceremony held in Albany. The new AIANYS board was also announced at the event. Conferred annually, the award program “recognizes individuals and organizations whose work has significantly advanced the architectural profession and reflects the core values of the AIA: design excellence, leadership, service, and community impact.”
Among the honorees was RECORD deputy editor Joann Gonchar, who was presented with the 2025 President’s Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions by an AIANYS member in education, industry, or government. Specifically, Gonchar was commended for “extraordinary leadership in architectural journalism and advocacy for sustainable design, elevating professional discourse, and championing women and emerging leaders in architecture.” Gonchar has been at RECORD since 2006; previously, she was an editor at sister publication Engineering News-Record, beginning there in 1998. Prior to that, she practiced architecture for eight years at firms in the U.S. and Japan.
“After architecture school, I worked in several offices, and I soon determined that though I love buildings and architecture, I was not cut out for practice. I found it exceedingly challenging,” said Gonchar upon receiving the award. “So, I have nothing but admiration for all of you in the audience who practice. And I am gratified that you find what I do useful and worthy of this recognition.”
2025 AIANYS Honors Awards winners (left to right) Associate Award recipient Hao-Yeh Lu of Fogarty Finger; CookFox Architects founding partner Rick Cook; FxCollaborative partner emerita Sylvia Smith; RECORD deputy editor Joann Gonchar. Photo © Eddie Quinn Photography, courtesy AIANYS
On Feb 11, Gonchar will appear as a featured speaker at a panel discussion, “Meet the Media & Beyond: Strategies for Getting Your Firm Seen, Heard, & Hired,” held at the Center for Architecture in New York City.
In addition to Gonchar, other 2025 AIANYS Honor Awards recipients include Manhattan-based CookFox Architects. It received the Firm Award for its “leadership in sustainable, regenerative, and socially responsible design integrating biophilic principles, historic preservation, and community engagement.” Past awardees include Architecture Research Office, SHoP, and WXY Architecture & Urban Design.
Rick Cook, founding partner of Firm Award–winning practice CookFox Architects. Photo © Eddie Quinn Photography, courtesy AIANYS
“After 40 years of practice, I have had the opportunity to work on many buildings that have improved the lives of residents, students, and office workers and that move the green building movement forward,” said founding partner Rick Cook in a statement. “But what I’m most proud of is the studio we’ve built. I am honored to work alongside a group of designers who are passionate about making the world healthier, more sustainable, and just for everyone.”
The chapter’s highest honor, the James William Kideney Gold Medal Award, was presented to Sylvia Smith, partner emerita at FXCollaborative, and Paul McDonnell, a former longtime architect with the City of Buffalo and Buffalo Public Schools who serves as president of the Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture and Culture.
You can read more here about the recipients of the award program’s other honors, including the Student Award, Educator Award, and Young Architect Award.
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