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A UT College of Architecture and Design alumnus, Matthew Barnett (’15 B.Arch), was recently named a recipient of the 2022 Young Architects Award.

This is the second alumnus from the college to receive the honor in the past two years.

The Young Architects Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated considerable leadership and made notable contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers.

According to AIA, Barnett’s talent and dedication to his craft along with his experience and accomplishments contributed to the award.

Currently, Barnett works as a licensed architect and LEED-accredited professional at in Wilmington, North Carolina. There, Barnett is focused on community-based projects and research by using his education and a background in construction to create compelling spaces.

At the firm, he works with many large-scale and complex projects, including the designs for workforce housing, a women’s and children’s clinic in Uganda and a rehabilitation center for gang violence. “His projects show architecture’s ability to address some of society’s most pressing issues, such as housing inequality and social divisiveness,” according to the AIA website.

Barnett’s work has been recognized with more than a dozen national awards and 40 AIA design awards, showing a driven and innovative designer with a passion for problem-solving with conceptual designs.

During his time in the college, Barnett received UT’s highest student award, The Torchbearer, in recognition of his leadership to make a difference for people through his role in AIAS Freedom by Design.

He also was , which recognizes alumni under the age of 40 who have excelled personally and professionally since their graduation from the University of Tennessee.

After graduation, Barnett worked for in Los Angeles; in Kansas City, Missouri; and in Memphis, Tennessee. All three were featured in Architect Magazine’s top 10 national design firms.

Barnett is the second alumnus in as many years to receive the AIA honor. The 2021 AIA Young Architects Award recognized Michael Davis (’08 B.Arch). Davis currently is employed at Sanders Pace Architecture in �����Ƶ. At the firm, he has played a major role in many large-scale projects, including the design of the new headquarters for a �����Ƶ full-service advertising agency. Read Davis’s story.

The AIA is a nationwide professional organization for architects that features practices and recognizes excellence by awarding and honoring individuals who represent growth within their profession.

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