“I’m deeply honored and humbled,” says the Arkansas-based architect. “We feel this is a big win for all the folks in flyover country.”

RECORD spoke with the 2019 AIA Gold Medal–winner about sustainability and climate change, the growth and density of cities, and the architect’s role as problem-solver.

The Ennead Architects partner emeritus reflects on winning the 2018 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal.

The AIA’s 2018 Firm Award goes to Minneapolis-based Snow Kreilich.

Williams, the first African American to receive the prize, won over finalists Zaha Hadid and Richard Rogers.