2026 Architect of the Year • Adam Harding, AIA

The Award

This award recognizes an individual architect who has made significant impact on the profession of architecture in Colorado. The criteria state they have developed a portfolio of notable, creative, and meaningful architecture that has positively impacted Colorado, they have pushed architecture toward the future while also honoring its past, become widely known for the quality of their work by architects, designers, educators, and the public, have advocated for fellow architects and advanced the community through their service and leadership, and have helped to address current issues in Colorado by using their expertise as a design professional. 

Presented by Kevin Nguyen, AIA
Owner, Regular Architecture
2025 AIA Colorado Architect of the Year

Adam Harding, AIA, Founder & Design Principal at Adam Harding Architecture

Adam Harding represents the architect as designer, mentor, advocate, and public servant, and demonstrates how those roles can strengthen one another.

As a partner and design principal, Adam has developed an award-winning portfolio of hospitality, civic, adaptive-reuse, and mixed-use work that elevates everyday experience and contributes meaningfully to Colorado’s built environment. His projects reflect clarity of concept, careful craft, and a belief that architecture is a civic act capable of fostering culture, belonging, and long-term community value.

Adam’s influence extends well beyond his own projects. He has led AIA Colorado, helped guide the organization through strategic change, supported architectural education through the Architectural Education Foundation, and invested consistently in students and emerging professionals. His service on Colorado’s architecture licensing board carries significant responsibility and helps shape the standards, public trust, and future pathways of the profession.

For the breadth of his design work and his sustained commitment to the systems, institutions, and people that support architecture in Colorado, the jury is honored to recognize Adam Harding as the 2026 AIA Colorado Architect of the Year.

Congratulations!

Why the jury selected Adam:

• Built a sustained, award-winning Colorado portfolio across hospitality, civic, adaptive-reuse, and mixed-use work.
• Approaches architecture as a civic act that can strengthen culture, belonging, and quality of life.
• Combines design ambition with careful craft, technical rigor, and long-term community value.
• Has practiced continuously at Roth Sheppard Architects since 2004 and now serves as partner and design principal.
• Led AIA Colorado as president-elect, president, and past president during a period of strategic organizational development, serving as President in 2020.
• Serves on Colorado’s architecture licensing board, taking on substantial responsibility for professional standards and public protection.
• Connects Colorado to broader regulatory conversations and emerging approaches to architectural practice and licensure.
• Co-leads the Architectural Education Foundation, expanding support for scholarships, mentorship, and future architects.
• Invests consistently in students and emerging professionals through teaching, juries, lectures, and direct mentorship.
• Presented the strongest overall balance of distinguished design, service to AIA, education, advocacy, and public leadership.

The annual AIA Colorado Awards honor the outstanding work of members and their firms, reinforce the value of great architecture, and highlight member contributions to positive change.