We’re proud to celebrate a major milestone for our founder, William Duff, FAIA, who was formally honored last month at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows Investiture Ceremony. This prestigious recognition — and the impact through AIA Fellowship it represents — is awarded to architects who have not only demonstrated excellence in their work but have also made a profound and lasting difference in the profession and society at a national level. Fewer than 3% of AIA members achieve the FAIA distinction, making it one of the highest honors in architecture.

Throughout his career, William has built a practice centered on people, believing that great design stems from happy, empowered, and supported teams. To foster that, he developed three major practice management innovations to achieve this: democratization of design, transparency of business management and championing employee growth. These principles don’t just guide our internal culture; they directly shape how we serve our clients and the communities we design for.

The AIA requires Fellow candidates to demonstrate a broader “ripple effect” by showing how their work has influenced the field of architecture beyond their own firm and region. William’s contributions meet that challenge, setting an example for others and helping to raise the bar across the profession. His impact through AIA Fellowship continues to inspire us to innovate, share knowledge, and design with purpose.

In the true spirit of impact through AIA Fellowship, we’re excited to keep the ripple effect going — through our work, our values, and our ongoing commitment to making the world a better place through architecture.

To learn more about the work and ideas that led to this incredible honor, read William’s full FAIA submission here.