News
Oct 21, 2021 _ news
AIA Citizen Architect Award for Ben Barlage
Ben Barlage has received the inaugural Thomas E. Lett II Citizen Architect Award from the Kentucky chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Established in 2021, this award pays tribute to an individual architect who has consistently applied his or her talents, skills, and expertise to advocate for and raise awareness of the broader purpose of architecture and the built environment in their communities.
Ben has been a long-time leader and advocate for AIA’s Northern Kentucky Chapter, most recently serving as the chapter’s president. He is currently the secretary of AIA Kentucky’s State Board. Ben was instrumental in securing the grant for AIA Northern Kentucky’s 150th anniversary project, which transformed a gravel pit into a public park. He is a past recipient of the 40 Under 40 Award from the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and serves as Vice Chair of the KET Northern Kentucky Board. As an elected city councilperson in the city of Edgewood, Kentucky, Ben has hosted public design meetings around the city’s new event center and gazebo.
In addition to his work at GBBN, which includes University of Kentucky HealthCare’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Clinical Sciences Pavilion at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Ben constantly seeks out opportunities to embrace the role of “Citizen Architect” and positively impact the industry and his community. Ben continues to work closely with the Spirit of Construction Foundation and students at Woodward Career Technical High School to study, design an ADA compliant, 1,200 sf home in Cincinnati’s Bond Hill neighborhood. Part of the foundation’s “Constructing Pathways to Careers,” the initiative seeks to grow the ranks of skilled tradespeople by giving students a hands-on experience.
Read more about Ben here.
