The Washington, D.C. Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC) has announced that David Haresign, FAIA, a founding partner of Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS, has been selected to receive the 2021 Centennial Medal, the Chapter’s highest honor.

With a career spanning more than 45 years, David is a widely recognized leader of the Washington region’s design community. David is 2013 Past President of AIA|DC and board leader from 2009 – 2014, and co-chaired the Host Chapter Committee for the 2012 National AIA Conference in Washington, DC. David organized and chaired two major, highly successful exhibits at the District Architecture Center focusing on architects’ impact on the city – reVISION :: THINKING BIG and reBIRTH :: Washington, DC 50 Years after 1968. David continues to contribute to AIA|DC through his continued very active leadership in the Design Excellence Committee and in the Fellows Committee, and through his active mentorship of emerging and mid-career architects and designers. David is a sought-after design critic, and a frequent lecturer and panelist on current architecture and practice at regional universities, and national and local conferences.

His outreach extends to related professional, academic, cultural and community organizations; David is currently a trustee of The National Building Museum, the DC History Center and the University of Virginia Architectural Alumni Foundation, and is the 2021 President of the Cosmos Club Historic Preservation Foundation (CCHPF).

Established over 20 years ago, Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS is well known for its work that reinforces communities and catalyzes emerging neighborhoods. With his partner Bill Bonstra, FAIA, LEED AP, David leads the firm’s team of 35 talented professionals who are engaged in AIA|DC’s regional professional community, and who design and implement the firm’s award-winning work.

David is a specialist in large-scale, complex projects, leading project teams and organizations with conceptual clarity, meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to design excellence. He implements diverse project typologies with challenging entitlements, large integrated teams, and tight fiscal constraints. His projects achieve iconic design, technical innovation, restoration and re-purposing of old fabric that re-invigorates neighborhoods and communities. Committed to smart growth planning and preservation, David promotes affordable housing as a basic right by retaining less affluent residents in old neighborhoods and housing them in new ones. His projects are widely recognized with over 115 national, regional and local design and professional awards, and in international and national publications.

David graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in architecture, and studied graduate planning. For his contributions to the profession, to the community and to society, David was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2012, one of the American Institute of Architects highest individual honors.

The Centennial Medal will be awarded to David at AIA|DC’s Fall Design Fete, scheduled for November 12, 2021, in the National Cathedral.

View the nomination materials.