MEET THE 2026 DESIGN AWARDS JURY
RESIDENTIAL JURY
JACOB BEEBE, AIA
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jacob joined the Oklahoma City office in 2013, having studied at Washington University in St Louis and the University of Florida. He gained valuable hands-on experience at Rural Studio in Alabama and has worked on many diverse projects since joining AHMM, from adaptive re-use to housing to interior fit-outs, becoming a key contributor to the culture and work of AHMM.
Jacob was Project Architect for the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office & EOC - a renovation of multiple existing buildings to enhance services for Oklahoma County residents, and Texas Ballet Theater - the reinvention of a former retail store into a landmark performing arts venue, centered around a black-box studio that doubles as a performance space. In addition to running projects, Jacob is also President-Elect for the AIA Central Oklahoma Chapter and is a student pilot.
LAURIE GUNZELMAN, AIA
Gunzelman Architecture and Interiors
Columbus, Ohio
Recognized as an integral voice in the architecture community, Laurie’s work has received numerous accolades, including an AIA Medal of Merit and design awards from local and state organizations.
As a working principal, Laurie’s experience as a project manager delivers introspective design that fulfills the clients functional needs while considering both their fiscal and scheduling goals. She successfully manages budgets, resolves issues, and coordinates with consultants in or to meet project goals and deadlines. In addition to her professional work, Laurie serves as a thoughtful mentor to young professionals working as associates in her close-knit German Village office. Her gift is bringing out the best in her team, and delivering hand crafted solutions, project after project.
STEPHI MOTAL, AIA
Black + Motal Architecture & Urban Design
Austin, Texas
Stephi Motal, AIA is an award-winning Texas Architect with over 29 years of experience. She prides herself on listening carefully to her clients, helping them prioritize their needs and delivering carefully crafted designs that balance all project constraints and opportunities.
Stephi serves as Managing Partner for Black + Motal Architecture and Urban Design (formerly Black & Vernooy), a company she joined as a high-school junior in 1996. At that time, Stephi was determined to become a well-rounded architect, she quickly familiarized herself with every aspect of the firm, gaining invaluable experience in a variety of skills. She worked closely with all aspects of the practice and studied design archives dating back to the late 1960’s. She quickly became the institutional memory and invaluable in all of Black + Motal’s marketing and proposal efforts.
During her tenure, Stephi completed the Professional Bachelor of Architecture program at the University of Texas at Austin. Upon graduating, in 2004, she took an ever-increasing role in the firm’s design projects. With a deep understanding of the design process and Black + Motal’s guiding principles, she quickly became the lead project manager. Her clients enjoy working with her so much that several have returned for additional collaboration. The skills and character that drive her client’s appreciation also make her a stellar mentor to her younger team members.
Since achieving licensure in 2013, Stephi has served the profession on a variety of committees and board positions for both the Texas Society of Architects and AIA Austin, including as chapter president in 2021, and as chair for TxA’s Government Affairs Steering Committee. Currently, Stephi is the 2026 President-Elect for the Texas Society of Architects.
COMMERCIAL JURY
SARA BOYER, AIA
Moody Nolan
Columbus, Ohio
Sara pairs a creative eye with her knack for problem-solving, to arrive at unconventional design solutions that push the status quo. As a Principal at Moody Nolan, Sara leads with a focus on long-term relationship building. With more than 20-years of architectural experience, she leads complex recreation and collegiate projects, focused on sustainable design solutions. To Sara, architecture is the perfect blend of right and left brain, and she combines her talents to advocate for innovation in the built environment.
Sara centers accountability in her leadership style, and she develops initiatives that mentor and develop younger generations. She is the recipient of the AIA Ohio Mentor Award, and serves her local and regional chapters.
Sara holds a Master’s of Architecture from Arizona State University and a Bachelor's degree from University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign.
ANGELA MAZZI, FAIA
GBBN Architects
Cincinnati, Ohio
Recognizing that design is most effective when it transcends function and aesthetics, Angela has built a career exploring the importance of user experience. Her research on salutogenesis, equity, and socio-cultural contexts provides perspective on how culture impacts and informs design.
Angela believes architecture is advocacy and works to advance the profession beyond her work as a Principal at GBBN Architects. She founded Architecting, a community consisting of a podcast, online learning, the Space Doctor series on understanding and using salutogenesis in design and co-hosted the Architects as Healers: Buildings as Medicine series from 2021-2025.
Her research linking wellness to equitable design has been published in many healthcare journals and presented at national and international conferences. She is past president of the American College of Healthcare Architects and AIA Cincinnati. She is a frequent speaker, published author, guest lecturer, and studio critic and has served as a juror for state and local AIA design awards due to her unique design perspective. Angela is currently on the AIA Ohio Board, and a peer reviewer for Health Environment Research and Design (HERD) Journal. Her work has been recognized with the 2022 HCD10 Top Architect Award and 2024 AIA Ohio Gold Medal.
KURT PLATTE, AIA
Platte Architecture + Design
Cincinnati, Ohio
Platte Architecture + Design was founded by Kurt Platte in 2002 with the vision of creating a creative studio shaped by more than a single perspective. The practice is built on collaboration, empowering every team member to contribute their expertise, creativity, and unique voice in serving clients and bringing their visions to life.
The firm’s architects and designers represent a diverse range of backgrounds and disciplines, bringing deep experience across their respective fields. This diversity of talent, perspective, and personality informs every project, resulting in work that is innovative, technically sophisticated, sustainable, and distinctly creative.
At the intersection of form, space, and function, Platte Architecture + Design challenges convention to create meaningful environments that inspire, connect, and endure.
Kurt holds a Bachelor of Architecture from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Miami University of Ohio. Platte Architecture + Design is a frequent recipient of local and regional design awards.