The Young Architects Award is given to individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in an early stage of their architectural career. Architect members of the AIA who have been licensed to practice architecture fewer than 10 years by the submission deadline are eligible to be nominated; the term young architect has no reference to the age of nominees. Jury Comments “Within the regional context of South Carolina, his work is exceptional. His sketches are captivating.” David Burt, AIA entered the scene as an Architecture student at Mississippi State University. Falling in love with travel during this time, he participated in the school’s study-abroad program and travelled to more than ten countries, all the while sketching the buildings and urban setting that inspired him. Directly after graduation, he began working for Foil-Wyatt Architects in Jackson, Mississippi. In 1998, while sketching buildings in Charleston, a chance encounter with Thom Penney (President, AIA 2002-2003) resulted in his being offered a position at LS3P Architects. He began work for LS3P in 1998, the same year he chose to join the AIA. Although LS3P is organized into project-type studios (i.e. K-12, Healthcare, Federal, Commercial, etc.), David quickly proved himself to be the “Jack-of-All-Trades” and worked across studios to fill the needs of various project types. In addition to holding other memberships and positions at such a busy time in his life, David was also earning both acclaim and reputation: he was honored by AIA Charleston in a Design Competition for a Habitat for Humanity Project; he was put in charge of the design and construction of the largest mixed-use resort project LS3P had ever designed, The Wild Dunes Resort Village and Conference Center; he was licensed in 2004, and advanced so quickly at LS3P that he was named an associate in March of 2004 and an associate principal in April of 2006. David became a LEED Accredited Professional in 2009, though he has been working on LEED projects since 2006. In September of 2008, he was named LS3P’s youngest principal. In the same year, he was selected as the Young Architects Forum (YAF) Regional Liaison for the South Atlantic Region, working to increase the representation and influence of the YAF in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. David served at AIA Charleston as Vice President in 2005, then President in 2006. He was elected, in 2006, to a three-year term with the AIA South Carolina Board of Directors as its Communications Chairperson, and his work in overseeing the design and content of the magazine has resulted, so far, in both increased readership and increased funding. Steven Coe, AIA, a reference in David’s nomination, states, “During David’s tenure the magazine has been distributed to over 18,000 recipients representing legislators, allied associations and potential clients and has had a significant impact on sending the message about South Carolina architects’ role in creating the built environment.” Enthusiasm is the characteristic most emphasized by David’s peers and references, and from the very start of his career, he seems to have shown this zeal in all his undertakings. “It takes more than just ability to be a great architect,” says Barbara Van Thullenar in another reference, “I think you need passion, understanding of the project and commitment to excellence in your work…David embraces all of these qualities.”
from AIA National newsletter