Dec 6, 2022 _ news

Mel Ngami, RA is Recognized with AIA Pennsylvania Associate Award

At their 2022 awards ceremony, the American Institute of Architects, Pennsylvania recognized GBBN’s Mel Ngami with its Associate Award! This recognition honors an AIA Pennsylvania Associate Member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, creativity, and significant contributions to their communities, the architecture profession, and the AIA.

Mel looks for opportunities to better understand the history, social, and emotional states of the communities she works with, so that together, they can imagine and construct work that creates a positive impact for people in those communities. As co-leader of Project Pipeline summer camps for the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Pittsburgh chapter, Melanie works to increase the number of minority middle and high school students who are exposed to the practice of architecture. Melanie also volunteers with GBBN’s annual Design Issues Series, whose latest exhibition, Watershed, studied the state of tree canopies and watersheds in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Minneapolis.

“At GBBN, Mel builds trust with clients, peers, and community members through effective and authentic communication,” says GBBN Principal and Market Design Leader, Amanda Markovic. “Mel leads challenging conversations, and highlights gaps for further discussion.”

GBBN CEO Matthew Schottelkotte echoes this sentiment, adding, “Mel works not only to better our firm, but through speaking at local schools and leading NOMA Project Pipeline summer camps, she is helping to develop the next generation of architects.”

Congratulations Mel! Learn more about her here, here, and here.