2026 Young Architect of the Year • Katie Coyle, AIA

The Award

The AIA Colorado Young Architect Award recognizes the individual achievements of a young architect licensed to practice architecture fewer than 10 years. This individual will have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their career.

Presented by Kaylyn Kirby, AIA
Associate Principal, Semple Brown
2025 AIA Colorado Young Architect of the Year

Katie Coyle, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP, Senior Associate, Senior Architect, HOK

This year’s Honors Award Jury had the privilege of reviewing an incredibly talented group of emerging architects but are delighted to recognize Katie Coyle for her technical excellence and her meaningful impact to her community and the architectural industry. 

Katie is a Senior Associate with HOK, where she helps lead major sports projects including the Denver Broncos Training facility and the North Carolina Panthers Stadium. With a background that spans many project types, including sports, education, and office, she has a clear passion and aptitude for designs that build community connections. 

One aspect of Katie’s application that really stood out was how her letters of recommendation, across clients, colleagues, and contractors, all highlighted the same qualities: her ability to listen authentically, balance the complexities of the project while maintaining the bigger vision, and her ability to lead forward through creative design solutions. She does all of that with humility, leading through curiosity and respect for others. 

Her impact goes far beyond the buildings, as she is a champion of sustainability, equity and inclusive design, and mentorship through her professional work and as a dedicated member of many industry organizations. 

For her technical excellence, her commitment to the industry, and the meaningful leadership she is already bringing to our profession, it is our honor to recognize Katie Coyle as the 2026 AIA Colorado Young Architect of the Year.

Congratulations!

Why the jury selected this recipient

• Demonstrates exceptional technical leadership alongside strong design judgment.
• Contributes to major public, recreation, collegiate, sports, and community-focused projects.
• Leads important work on the Denver Broncos training facility and team headquarters.
• Connects exterior design, interior planning, documentation, building systems, sustainability, and construction execution.
• Clearly articulated her personal responsibilities and contributions on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Presented an especially well-organized packet using drawings, wall sections, graphics, and project narratives to show both thinking and execution.
• Mentors colleagues and connects staff with professional-development opportunities.
• Advances sustainable and wellness-focused design through professional engagement and project work.
• Helps build an inclusive studio culture in which team members are encouraged to contribute their voices and expertise.
• Offered the jury the strongest overall combination of project quality, technical depth, mentorship, community impact, and clarity of submission.

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.