Gresham Smith is proud to announce that the firm has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects Tennessee chapter (AIA Tennessee) with an 2024 Outstanding Emerging Professionals Friendly Firm Award. Additionally, Amy Hardin, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, a senior project manager and senior architect within the firm’s Life and Work Places market, and Josh Flowers, NCARB, FAIA, a senior risk manager and legal counsel within the firm’s Risk Management department, have been honored with a 2024 Presidential Award of Excellence by AIA Tennessee. Hardin, Flowers and employee representatives Ayomi Akinlawon, Associate AIA, and Huy Nguyen, AIA, accepted the awards at the AIA Tennessee Conference on Architecture, held in Knoxville, Tennessee from August 7 to 9.
The annual Emerging Professionals Friendly Firm Award Program honors firms statewide that excel in fostering the career growth of their early professionals, from new graduates to young architects licensed for less than a decade. Gresham Smith was awarded the ‘Outstanding’ distinction for its innovative strategies to bolster emerging professionals.
The jury stated, “While they have one of the most robust support systems for Architectural Experience Program and licensure of this year’s participants, it was Gresham Smith’s integration of and clear pathway for additional professional and leadership development of newly licensed architects that truly set them apart from their large firm peers. Firm resources, though extensive, appear to be distributed to maximize impact and access for all members of the firm, not just more senior staff.”
The firm offers a range of architecture-specific training and development programs for its more than 100 emerging professionals, including monthly mentor meetings, regular study groups for the Architect Registration Exam and celebratory days for newly licensed professionals. They also foster personal growth and community involvement opportunities, reinforcing their commitment to comprehensive professional development.
This year’s Presidential Award of Excellence recognized seven individuals statewide, including Hardin and Flowers, for their significant contributions towards enhancing AIA Tennessee’s presence, the architectural profession and the built environment within Tennessee.
About Amy Hardin
Over her 15-year career, Hardin has made substantial contributions to Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s landscape, gaining recognition as a leader in attainable housing initiatives. Hardin’s service on the AIA Tennessee’s State Government Relations Committee has seen her actively reviewing architectural bill language and playing a pivotal role in advocating, opposing or identifying the value in legislature. Her proactive leadership ensures the committee stays ahead of active legislation, facilitating informed feedback. Her guidance encourages members specializing in the housing sector to share insights, collaborate, and strategize solutions for Tennessee’s housing crisis. Additionally, Hardin co-chairs the AIA Middle Tennessee’s Government Affairs Committee and holds a position on its Board of Directors. Her involvement extended to the national level when she spoke at the AIA Leadership Summit 2024, participating in a panel discussion titled “Designing the Future: AIA’s Vision for Chief City Architects in Local Governance.” Hardin’s recent volunteer efforts included participating in two Mayoral Forums with AIA Middle Tennessee. She also launched a podcast, ‘Re:Form Tennessee’, which spotlights community resilience and was featured during Nashville Design Week.
About Josh Flowers
A registered architect and licensed attorney with almost 20 years of experience, Flowers has demonstrated leadership within AIA at various levels. He was recently elected as the 2025-2026 Secretary to the national AIA Board of Directors. Additionally, he serves as the 2024 Vice Moderator of the AIA Strategic Council, spearheading AIA’s efforts to study issues impacting the profession’s future. Flowers also contributes to the AIA Contract Documents Committee as a Task Group Chair, focusing on the 2024 revisions to AIA’s Design-Build documents. In 2019, as AIA Tennessee’s President, he provided legal advice to the AIA Tennessee Government Relations Committee regarding architectural practice issues. As AIA Memphis President in 2012, he established the AIA Memphis Leadership Program, linking emerging professionals with Memphis Fellows through a leadership curriculum spanning eight months. Additionally, he chaired the AIA Young Architects Forum in 2016, a platform designed to address recently licensed architects’ specific issues. Flowers’ contributions to architecture have been recognized with the AIA National Young Architects Award and with an induction into the AIA College of Fellows in 2018.
