2025 AIA Indiana Service Award Winners
GOLD MEDAL AWARD
Jonathan R. Hess, AIA
Jonathan R. Hess, AIA, has shaped the cultural and architectural identity of Indiana for more than four decades. As past Principal and Chairman of the Board at Browning Day, his portfolio includes some of the state’s most recognizable landmarks. From the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art to expansions at Newfields, to the iconic Pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and transformative projects at the Indianapolis Zoo, his work balances innovation with respect for history, creating places that enrich communities while earning national and international recognition. Whether designing performance halls at Butler University, research spaces at Indiana University, or civic and cultural destinations across the state, Jonathan has consistently elevated Indiana’s built environment and cultural landscape.
Beyond his architectural contributions, Jonathan has been a mentor, educator, and trusted partner to clients and communities. Known for his inclusive and collaborative approach, he has guided projects that exceed expectations, reflecting his belief that architecture is fundamentally about serving people. His legacy is one of vision, humility, and impact, shaping iconic public spaces while also crafting quieter works that seamlessly blend into their surroundings. In honoring Jonathan Hess with the AIA Indiana Gold Medal, the profession recognizes both his extraordinary body of work and his enduring influence on future generations of architects.
DISTINGUISHED FIRM AWARD
studioAXIS
Celebrating 30 years of practice, studioAXIS has become a cornerstone of Indianapolis’s design community, consistently raising the bar for purposeful, innovative, and inclusive design. Founded in 1995 by Drew White and Kevin Cooper, the studio was built on the belief that architecture and interiors are inseparable, and that design excellence should be accessible, rooted in context, and transformative for the communities it serves. With an award-winning portfolio that includes the Cummins LiveWell Center, Julia M. Carson Transit Center, The Nature Conservancy headquarters, and numerous civic, cultural, and workplace projects, studioAXIS has played a defining role in shaping the city’s architectural identity while contributing to its vitality and growth.
AIA INDIANA ARCHITECTURE OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD
Brandon Farley, AIA
In his professional role, Brandon leads American Structurepoint’s education practice, where he blends his passion for sustainability, innovation, and mentorship in the pursuit of design excellence. His work reflects a deep commitment to creating environments that foster learning and growth. These values that extend well beyond his day job.
Within the AIA community, Brandon is known as a tireless advocate for the profession and for building a strong pipeline of young Hoosiers who will shape the future of architecture. For the past five years, he has provided exceptional leadership as chair of the Indiana High School Architectural Design Competition. Under Brandon’s guidance, this program – often called the “Architecture State Championship” – has continued its long-standing mission of inspiring the next generation by challenging students to think critically and creatively about real-world design problems.
Brandon does far more than preside over the competition. He is hands-on at every stage, actively engaging students, recruiting fellow architects to participate, and ensuring that students receive real-time feedback from professionals. This interactive approach allows students to experience the full arc of the design process and reinforces the value of mentorship in architectural education.
Thanks to Brandon’s vision and dedication, the competition has reached hundreds of students across Indiana, providing invaluable exposure to architecture as both an art and a profession. His leadership has strengthened the connection between education and practice, expanded opportunities for aspiring architects, and elevated AIA Indiana’s commitment to fostering design excellence.
WALTER S. BLACKBURN AWARD
Heather Zeto, LEED AP BD+C | O+M | WELL AP
Heather Zeto has advanced sustainable design across Indiana for more than 20 years, leading more than 65 LEED-certified projects and mentoring countless professionals in the field. As Sustainability Practice Leader at Guidon, she oversees a growing team and more than 20 active LEED projects, sustainability plans, and feasibility studies. Her work has shaped major efforts such as the IU Health Academic Health Center, Purdue University projects, and the Eskenazi Health campus, where she translates complex sustainability goals into clear, achievable strategies.Heather’s expertise in LEED and WELL has established her as a trusted partner for architects, engineers, and owners working toward high-performance, resilient design.
Equally important is Heather’s dedication to mentorship and education. A longtime leader within USGBC Indiana and two-time Greenbuild Advisory Board member, she has trained young professionals, developed best practices, and spoken widely at conferences including the Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference and Midwest Healthcare Engineering Conference. Known for her inclusive leadership and Practical Sustainability™ approach, she inspires others to embrace sustainable design not as a checklist, but as a meaningful way to improve lives and communities. Heather’s technical excellence, advocacy, and people-first leadership embody the spirit of the Walter S. Blackburn Award.
TONY COSTELLO YOUNG ARCHITECT AWARD
Chase Miller, AIA, NCARB, AHCA, EDAC
Chase Miller is a healthcare architect whose career has been driven by both professional expertise and personal experience. After accompanying his wife through years of medical care, he saw firsthand how the built environment affects healing, dignity, and quality of life. That perspective continues to shape his work as he leads Guidon’s planning team, designing healthcare and higher education spaces that put people at the center. His projects include the new Community Health Network Westfield Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility that integrates advanced technology with patient-centered design, as well as expansions and master planning efforts for IU Health, Eskenazi Health, and other institutions. In 2023, he became the youngest architect in Indiana to be recognized as a Board-Certified healthcare architect by the American College of Healthcare Architects.
Beyond his project work, Chase has distinguished himself as a leader in the profession and the community. He has served in multiple roles with AIA Indianapolis/Indiana, co-chaired The Center for Health Design’s Environmental Standards Council, and contributed to revisions of the FGI Guidelines. Through these efforts, along with his mentorship of emerging professionals and participation in Leadership Indianapolis’ Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, he continues to expand the impact of healthcare architecture. Colleagues describe him as an empowering leader whose clarity and positivity inspire confidence. Chase’s combination of technical excellence, evidence-based design, and personal passion for improving healthcare were key factors in earning the of the Tony Costello Young Architect Award.
JULIET PEDDLE AWARD
Don Duncan, AIA
Don Duncan has built a career defined by resilience, mentorship, and advocacy. After beginning his professional journey during the Great Recession, he navigated setbacks with determination while remaining committed to architecture and licensure. Today, he is the owner of L4M Architecture in Westville and a full-time Continuing Lecturer in the Construction Management Engineering Technology program at Purdue University Northwest. Through his firm, he serves Northwest Indiana communities with both professional and pro-bono projects, while at Purdue he mentors 25–30 students each year, often the first architect they encounter. His leadership is helping shape a forthcoming Associate of Applied Science in Architectural Design program, expanding opportunities for the next generation of professionals.
Don’s impact is equally evident through his service and mentorship within the profession. As past president of AIA Northern Indiana, he helped launch a Young Architects Forum, reestablish a student scholarship program, and create new engagement opportunities that connect students with practicing architects. Donald draws on the inspiration from his previous mentors, as he now serves as a mentor himself, supporting emerging leaders and colleagues while advocating for inclusivity in a male-dominated field. Whether guiding interns, encouraging licensure, or championing AIA programs, he continues to strengthen the profession and foster a more supportive path for those who follow.
NEXT GEN AWARD
Cass Parker, AIA
Cass Parker, AIA is an emerging leader whose creativity, mentorship, and civic engagement reflect the very best of Indiana’s next generation of architects. Since joining the Young Architects Forum Indianapolis, she has helped revitalize the group with innovative programming and co-leads a biweekly ARE Study Group that supports dozens of candidates pursuing licensure. Her leadership also extends into her community. Cass serves as a Commissioner on the City of Southport Redevelopment Commission, guiding a $19 million downtown development, and volunteers as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, using her professional network to connect youth with architecture and design opportunities.
At Lancer Associates, Cass co-founded Lancer Academy to introduce middle and high school students to the design professions, while also contributing to significant educational projects such as the $90 million River Ridge Middle School. Her selection as a Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program Scholar further underscores her commitment to professional and civic growth. With five of six ARE divisions complete, she is on track to licensure while already making an outsized impact on her peers, her profession, and her community. Cass’s record of service, mentorship, and design leadership makes her a standout recipient of the Next Gen Award.