Laurence A. Frank, AIA Receives 2020 Kea Medal Award

Local Architect Laurence A. Frank Honored with 2020 Kea Medal

Kea Medal Is Chapter’s Highest Honor—Recognizes Leadership, Advocacy and Service to the Design Profession

COLLEGE PARK, MD, October 16, 2020 – Laurence A. Frank, AIA, founding partner of Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, Inc., was honored with the Paul H. Kea Medal, the highest honor given by AIA Potomac Valley, a Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, at AIA Potomac Valley’s 2020 Design + Leadership Awards.

Frank was recognized for his extraordinary contributions to architecture in the Potomac Valley region, including his years of leadership of both AIA Potomac Valley and AIA Maryland, having served as President of both organizations and having spent many years on their Boards of Directors; his ardent support for affordable housing and architectural design; and his collaborative leadership style.

The Paul H. Kea Medal recognizes architects or non-architects in related fields who have made a significant and exemplary contribution to the profession, either through a body of work or a single contribution of great scope. Recipients may be cited for Service to the Profession; Leadership; or Architectural Advocacy that has furthered the public’s awareness or appreciation of design excellence. Frank was honored in all three categories, and is only the second person the history of the Paul H. Kea Medal to be so honored.

Frank joined these previous honorees:

2018 – Brian Kelly, AIA – Leadership, Service to the Profession

2017 – Gwen Wright – Architectural Advocacy

2016 – Randy Steiner, FAIA – Leadership, Architectural Advocacy; David Cronrath, AIA – Leadership, Service to the Profession

2015 – Clare Lise Kelly – Architectural Advocacy

2014 – Melanie Hennigan, AIA – Leadership, Service to the Profession; Raymond Skinner, Leadership, Architectural Advocacy

2013 – Carlo Colella, LEED AP – Architectural Advocacy; Carl Elefante, FAIA – Leadership, Service to the Profession

2012 – Samuel J. Parker, Jr., AICP – Leadership; John A. Carter, AIA – Architectural Advocacy

2010 – Dr. Royce Hanson – Leadership, Architectural Advocacy

2009 – Rollin B. Stanley – Architectural Advocacy; John M. Maudlin-Jeronimo, FAIA – Leadership, Service to the Profession

2007 – John Torti, FAIA – Leadership; William Bechhoefer – Service to the Profession; Eliot Pfanstiehl – Architectural Advocacy

2006 – Marshall Purnell, FAIA – Leadership; John P. Salmen, AIA – Service to the Profession; Douglas M. Duncan – Architectural Advocacy

2004 – Karl F. G. Du Puy – Architectural Advocacy; Steven W. Hurtt, AIA – Leadership; Steven J. Karr, AIA – Service to the Profession

2003 – Daniel W. Bennett, Jr, AIA – Service to the Profession; Richard G. Hawes – Architectural Advocacy; Stephen L. Parker, AIA – Leadership, Service to the Profession, Architectural Advocacy

2002 – Ralph D. Bennett, AIA – Leadership; John F. Corkill, Jr., AIA – Service to the Profession; Roger K. Lewis, FAIA – Architectural Advocacy

The award is named in honor of Paul H. Kea, FAIA, (1886-1968) who began practicing architecture in 1912, moved to Hyattsville, Maryland, and founded the firm Kea, Shaw, Grimm & Crichton, a precursor to today’s Grimm + Parker Architects. His firm built numerous banks, churches, schools and commercial buildings. A founding member of AIA Potomac Valley, Kea served as President of the Maryland Society of Architects and became a Fellow of the AIA (FAIA) in 1960. He served as President of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce and served on numerous church committees and community boards. He took a strong interest in architectural education and funded a Distinguished Professorship at the University of Maryland.

AIA Potomac Valley’s 2020 Design + Leadership Awards were supported by sponsors LSY Architects & Laboratory Planners, thinkmakebuild, Montgomery Planning, and Macris, Hendricks & Glascock, P.A. (MHG). More information about AIA Potomac Valley’s 2020 Design + Leadership Awards is available online at www.aiapv.org.

AIA Potomac Valley provides leadership, communication, education, and advocacy in support of architects and their constituencies in the Potomac Valley region. We empower members to advance their roles in service to society; act as a collective voice to help cultivate the future of the architectural profession; foster innovation and sustainability in design; and are a knowledge resource to members and the public, raising awareness of the value of the architecture profession. The chapter serves roughly 600 members in Allegany, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Washington counties in Maryland. 

Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through more than 200 international, state and local chapters, AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing.