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Positive Energy Alumnus Corey Squire Wins 2025 Young Architect Award

Tzu Chen Photography

We are thrilled to celebrate Corey Squire, AIA, a distinguished alumnus of Positive Energy, for being awarded the prestigious AIA 2025 Young Architect Award! Corey's visionary approach has profoundly redefined the role of sustainability in architecture, making him a true leader in the field.

For those of us in architecture, we know "good design" when we see it, but Corey has taken that concept and infused it with a deeper meaning, focusing on how our work impacts the planet and its people. He’s not just talking about sustainability; he’s actively embedding climate action, equity, and health into the design process for firms across the country.

A prime example of his impact is his role as a driving force behind the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. This isn't just a guideline; it's the national standard for defining design excellence, co-created by Corey to help us all understand how to integrate high-performance design into our projects. And if you've ever wondered how awards programs are pushing for more sustainable and equitable designs, you can thank Corey for developing the Common App and Super Spreadsheet, which bring performance-based rigor to over 30 AIA components.

Corey's work has spanned leading architecture firms like Eskew+Dumez+Ripple, Lake|Flato, and Bora Architecture & Interiors, where he's currently the Director of Sustainability. He’s contributed to six AIA COTE Top Ten Award-winning projects and has been instrumental in bringing Living Building Challenge-certified and net-zero designs to life. These aren't just buzzwords; they represent buildings that are highly efficient and have minimal environmental impact, often producing as much energy as they consume.

Beyond his firm work, Corey has written a book on it! His book, People, Planet, Design, serves as a practical guide for firms and educators, reshaping how we think about architectural design. It’s a resource that helps demystify how we can integrate sustainable practices into every project.

Corey’s message is clear and powerful: sustainable design isn't an optional add-on; it's the very foundation of good design. He's delivered over 100 lectures and facilitated more than 60 workshops, inspiring countless professionals to transform their firm cultures and project portfolios. His mentorship is elevating both emerging and seasoned architects, empowering our community to align design excellence with environmental stewardship and social equity.

We at Positive Energy are incredibly proud to see Corey Squire recognized for his tireless efforts. His work is truly reshaping our discipline from the inside out, ensuring that sustainability becomes a standard, not an exception, in architectural practice.