AIA California is delighted to announce the ten recipients of the prestigious 2026 California Awards. Nine individuals and one firm that encompass design excellence, the actualization of core values, and service to the profession. This year, the awards program features the previously separate category of AIA California’s Academy for Emerging Professionals Awards Emerging Professional Awards.
“Together, the 2026 California Award recipients embody practitioners influencing the past, present, and future of the profession,” said 2026 AIA California President Ginger Thompson, AIA. “We see amongst them: lifetimes of service, firms and individuals significantly influencing the profession today, and emerging professionals who already have set a course of commitment to architecture and supporting their peers.”
The 2026 California Award honorees from the AIA East Bay community are:
Lifetime Achievement Award : Tian Feng, FAIA
Twenty-five years ago, Tian Feng, FAIA, joined San Francisco Bay Area Transit District (BART) as the District Architect and began a journey implementing his vision while elevating the architect’s role envisioning and shepherding transportation projects nationally. Ultimately Tian’s work at BART and for the transit industry has influenced BART’s transformation from a machine-centric people mover to a human-centered service provider and community builder.
Jury Comments:
Increasing access to public transit is a niche that could easily be overlooked; the jury appreciates that Tian Feng, FAIA, chose to focus on it — transit should be accessible by all.
Feng has carried a tremendous career of service and leadership, not only directly through transit projects but through the AIA and California Architects Board as well.
Young Architect Award : Jaime Matheron, AIA
Jaime Matheron, AIA, is a Principal and Senior Architect at DAHLIN, recognized for her leadership in innovative residential design. Born and raised in East Bay, she finds it especially meaningful to design and build in the same communities that several generations of her family have called home. Deeply committed to advancing the profession, Matheron’s involvement with AIA began as co-chair of the Young Architects Forum and includes terms as President, AIA East Bay. She has focused on reducing barriers for emerging professionals.
Jury Comments:
Jaime Matheron, AIA’s, career as a young architect is distinguished by its balance between its professional trajectory and AIA and community contributions. She has risen to the level of Principal concurrent to her service at AIA East Bay including as President of AIA East Bay for two consecutive terms.
You can find the full list of award recipients on AIA California’s website. Congratulations to all!