NIRSA Associate Member Moody Nolan receives prestigious industry award

As an associate member for 24 years, Moody Nolan has cultivated strong relationships with NIRSA member professionals and institutions from all across this country. That’s why we are proud to share with our NIRSA colleagues that the Board of Directors and the Strategic Council of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently honored Moody Nolan with its 2021 AIA Architecture Firm Award.

Founded in 1857, AIA consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. The annual AIA Architecture Firm Award is the highest honor the AIA bestows on an architecture practice and is awarded in recognition of a firm that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years.

“As the nation grapples with systemic racism and significant issues of inequality, the ideals of diversity espoused by Moody Nolan since its founding stand as a model for advancing the profession,” explains the AIA in announcing this award. “The firm has long operated at the critical junction of architecture and citizenship, demonstrating that responsible design requires a flawless marriage of art, function, and community,” they add.

About Moody Nolan

As the nation’s largest African American-owned and operated design firm—with 11 offices in the U.S.—Moody Nolan has a long history of serving clients with a keen knowledge of cultural sensitivities as well as a deep understanding of the impact its work has on individuals and communities.

Founded by Curt Moody, FAIA, NOMA, and the late engineer Howard E. Nolan, the firm’s work is centered on the belief that diverse perspectives foster creativity and more responsive solutions. His first breakthrough project was designing The Ohio State University basketball arena, and the rest as they say is history. A specialty design studio dedicated to Student Focused Facilities and sports led by studio founding partner Mark Bodien, AIA, and Troy Sherrard, FAIA.

“In 1996, a former colleague suggested I attend the NIRSA conference. I headed to Kansas City, Missouri, not sure what to expect,” Bodien recalled. The firm knew it was being recognized with its first NIRSA award for the Miami University Recreational Sports Facility and Natatorium and was pleasantly surprised when its name was also announced for the Rio Grande Community College Physical Education Complex.

Moody Nolan has been honored by NIRSA many times over the years, having contributed to 16 projects that have been distinguished with NIRSA Outstanding Facilities Awards.  “NIRSA’s history—as an organization founded by HBCU professionals—and its ongoing commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion continue to inspire and underscore the value and importance of our own work to foster healthy people and healthy communities,” says Curtis J. Moody, FAIA, Chairman of the Board of Moody Nolan.

Other notable projects include The Ohio State University Recreation and Physical Activity Center, Purdue University France A. Cordova Recreational Sports Center, and the University of Connecticut Student Recreation Center.

“We are proud of our collaboration with our clients on more than 130 college campuses, and we value these relationships with the exceptionally professional recreation leaders facilitated because of NIRSA. The success of our portfolio would not be possible without them,” Bodien adds.