January 25, 2010
KSS' Founding Partner Chairs AIA Jury of Fellows  PRINCETON, N.J.--The American Institute of Architects appointed KSS Architects partner Allan Kehrt, FAIA, LEED AP, as Chair of the 2010 Jury of Fellows. Kehrt is one of three founding partners of the award-winning architectural design and planning firm KSS Architects, which has offices in Princeton, N.J., in Philadelphia.
This February Kehrt's one-year appointment as Chair will conclude his 3-year term on the jury. The jury's 5-day January session, which runs this week, culminates with the announcement of the select architects who have been elevated to the distinction of Fellow, one of the highest honors the AIA can bestow upon a member.
Kehrt said he has thoroughly enjoyed his time on the AIA Jury of Fellows and as Chair.
"The Jury of Fellows experience has to be one of the most intense, but rewarding, experiences of my professional career," he said. "It is a very humbling undertaking to be confronted with the extraordinary accomplishments of those seeking Fellowship. It is something I will never forget."
Jurors are appointed to the Jury of Fellows by the National AIA and serve a 3-year term.
The American Institute of Architects developed the Fellowship program to elevate architects with at least 10 years of membership to the AIA who have contributed significantly to architecture and society and have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession on a national level, according to AIA's Web site. Fewer than 2,765 members out of 86,000 AIA members, or about 3 percent, were recognized as Fellows, as of 2009.
Kehrt became a member of AIA's College of Fellows in 2001. He is currently lives in Cranbury, N.J.
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January 10, 2010
KSS Architects Named AIA NJ's Firm of the Year  PRINCETON, N.J.--The American Institute of Architects New Jersey chapter announced KSS Architects won its prestigious Architectural Firm of the Year Award at AIA NJ's 2009 Awards Dinner on Sat., Jan. 9. The award is given to a firm that has "made major accomplishments in the field of architecture and has distinguished themselves both professionally and personally," according to AIA New Jersey.
Allan Kehrt, FAIA, LEED AP, one of the firm's founding partners, said he was amazed by what the firm has accomplished since its establishment in 1983.
"Since we began KSS, we have always tried to be the best firm we can be," Kehrt said. "It is enormously exciting as well as humbling for KSS to be recognized by our peers in this manner."
This is the third time KSS Architects has been honored with this award; the firm also won in 2002 and 2005.
Like many firms in the design and construction industry, KSS faced many challenges in the past year due to the economy. But the firm also experienced many good things. Team members continued working on exciting projects across the region, including a new campus center for the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, the Learning Lab at WHYY in Philadelphia, a new distribution center for STS Tire in Bridgewater, N.J., and Newark Collegiate Academy for TEAM Charter Schools, a Network of KIPP Schools.
The firm also completed several projects, including the Warch Campus Center at Lawrence University and a tenant fit-out for Princeton University at 701 Carnegie Center in West Windsor, N.J. These projects, well received by clients, are starting to earn their own design recognition.
KSS staff members also presented at national conferences, including the National Charter School Conference and the Society for College and University Planning. KSS also remains committed to community service and the design profession, supporting programs and organizations such as the ACE Mentor Program, Habitat for Humanity, March for Dimes, the Children's Crisis Treatment Center, and Eden Autism Services.
Last year, Sheila Nall, ASID, KSS' director of interior design, served as co-director of programming and philanthropy of Industrial/Commercial Real Estate Women, Inc., (ICREW) New Jersey; she is now president-elect of the organization. Kehrt is wrapping up his yearlong tenure as chairman of the national American Institute of Architects Jury of Fellows.
Photo by Hollander Photographic Services
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