MKC Architects Named 2024 Gold Medal Firm of the Year by AIA Ohio
St. Thomas University Student Center and Dormitories
In a year defined by innovation, community impact, and visionary leadership across the architectural profession, MKC Architects is proud to share that we have been named the 2024 Gold Medal Firm of the Year by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Ohio. This award represents the highest firm-level recognition the AIA Ohio bestows, celebrating architectural excellence and the enduring contributions of a firm whose body of work has significantly elevated the profession.
More than just a trophy or title, the Gold Medal Firm of the Year honor symbolizes the culmination of decades of purposeful design, meaningful community engagement, and leadership that has left a lasting imprint on the built environment—and on the people we serve.
A Defining Moment for Our Team and the Communities We Serve
Madonna University Welcome Center
The journey toward this award has been shaped by our commitment to architecture that serves, listens, and leads. To receive this prestigious honor is humbling—and deeply affirming of the values and vision that guide our firm every day.
MKC Architects submitted for consideration under every eligible category, a testament to the firm’s well-rounded approach and sustained impact across diverse project types, industries, and geographies. From education and healthcare, to civic, commercial, and faith-based spaces, our design philosophy has always been about crafting solutions that elevate people’s lives and inspire progress.
What the Gold Medal Firm of the Year Represents
St. Mary K-8 School, 2024 AIA Award Winning Design, Large Project
Awarded annually, the Gold Medal Firm of the Year is not just about the scale or aesthetics of a firm’s work—it is about the substance behind it: how a firm influences the architectural profession, contributes to the success of AIA Ohio, and, most importantly, how its work improves the lives of the people it touches.
Although AIA Fellowship is not a requirement for consideration, candidates must demonstrate a record of significant and exemplary contributions to the field. This includes not only outstanding projects but also leadership and service that have had an ever-increasing impact, broadening and elevating the standards of design, leadership, and service.
The award is grounded in three essential pillars that form the foundation of MKC’s mission and ethos:
Design: Building with Purpose, Vision, and Lasting Impact
Delaware County Library
In order to qualify for the Gold Medal Firm of the Year, a candidate must demonstrate that their body of work has made a significant positive impact on both the architectural profession and the communities they serve. The work must also be widely recognized for excellence, design innovation, and its role in elevating the practice of architecture itself.
At MKC Architects, we view design as a transformational force—a means to bring clarity, connection, and creativity to complex challenges. Whether designing a rural elementary school, a community healthcare clinic, or a state-of-the-art performing arts center, our focus remains consistent: deliver architectural solutions that meet functional needs while creating an experience that inspires and uplifts.
A Legacy of Innovation and Adaptability
For over 100 years, MKC has developed a portfolio that reflects both depth and breadth. We have designed spaces that respond to unique cultural contexts, integrate sustainable practices, and anticipate the needs of future generations. What sets our work apart is not just its variety, but its consistency in quality and intent—every project is designed with care, precision, and an unwavering respect for the people it will serve.
Our design process is built on collaboration, curiosity, and a deep commitment to community-centered outcomes. By listening closely to our clients and stakeholders, we ensure that each design reflects their vision while also offering fresh ideas that push the envelope in terms of aesthetics, sustainability, and long-term value.
Leadership: Elevating the Profession Through Vision and Action
Harmoniscapes, Acoustic-Kinetic Architecture
Great architecture is made possible not only through thoughtful design, but through strong leadership. The Gold Medal Firm of the Year recognizes firms whose vision, creativity, organizational skills, and perseverance have made a measurable and lasting impact on the profession and within the AIA community.
MKC Architects’ leadership is grounded in a collaborative culture that values mentorship, continuous learning, and integrity. Over the years, our team has led industry conversations on topics such as:
Equity in educational design
Resilient healthcare environments
Adaptive reuse and sustainability
Integrated project delivery models
Vision with a Human Focus
Our leadership model is not just about strategic growth—it’s about empowering people, both within our firm and across the communities we serve. We believe that every team member has the potential to lead, to innovate, and to influence change. That belief is woven into our operations, professional development programs, and client relationships.
As a firm, we’ve embraced a leadership philosophy that champions clarity of purpose, ethical practice, and shared success. These principles have allowed us to navigate evolving challenges while remaining grounded in our mission: to design environments that enrich people’s lives.
Service: Giving Back to the Profession and the Communities That Support It
Thomas More University Center for Academics
Service is the third core value that the Gold Medal Firm of the Year award recognizes—and it’s one that MKC Architects takes to heart. Candidates must demonstrate meaningful service to AIA Ohio and the architectural profession, making a significant impact over time and contributing to the growth and success of fellow practitioners and organizations.
At MKC, we have a long-standing tradition of service to professional organizations, civic boards, mentorship programs, and academic institutions. Our team members have:
Served on AIA Ohio committees and national task forces
Participated in local and statewide mentorship initiatives
Lectured at universities on architecture, planning, and leadership
Contributed pro bono design work to nonprofit and underserved organizations
Advocated for policies that improve the built environment
Community Engagement as a Core Practice
Our work in the community doesn’t stop at the drafting table. We believe that good design must be rooted in deep community understanding—and that designers must be willing to step up not just as architects, but as listeners, facilitators, and advocates.
Through ongoing partnerships with schools, municipalities, healthcare providers, and local nonprofits, MKC has created environments that are inclusive, accessible, and forward-thinking. These efforts extend beyond buildings—they help shape stronger, more resilient communities.
A Shared Achievement: Gratitude to Our Team, Clients, and Partners
St. Mary K-8 School, 2024 AIA Award Winning Design, Yellow Stairs
This award is more than a reflection of MKC Architects as a firm—it is a celebration of our people: the designers, project managers, clients, partners, consultants, and community members who make our work possible.
To our dedicated team, thank you for your talent, perseverance, and passion. You bring ideas to life, transform visions into buildings, and turn challenges into opportunities. Every line you draw and every conversation you lead reflects our shared mission.
To our clients and partners, thank you for trusting us. Your projects become our purpose. Your goals become our north star. This recognition would not be possible without your belief in our process and your commitment to collaboration.
What’s Next for MKC Architects?
Skyrise Columbus
Being named the 2024 Gold Medal Firm of the Year is both an honor and a responsibility. It sets a new benchmark for excellence—and inspires us to continue pushing boundaries, exploring new ideas, and delivering design that leaves a lasting legacy.
Looking ahead, MKC Architects will continue to:
Champion design practices that consider diverse community needs
Foster a studio culture of innovation and mentorship
Strengthen our leadership role in the profession through advocacy and education
Expand our community outreach through strategic partnerships and service
We remain committed to architecture that is honest, human, and hopeful—architecture that doesn’t just fill space but creates meaning, connection, and possibility.
[RE]Thinking Architecture
Winning the AIA Gold Medal Firm of the Year is a proud milestone in MKC’s journey—but it’s far from the final chapter. This recognition reaffirms what we’ve always believed: that architecture is not just about buildings—it’s about people. It’s about the potential of design to serve, inspire, and lead.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to do work that matters, and for the recognition of that work by our peers in the AIA Ohio community. We look forward to continuing to shape the future of architecture—together.