Principal and Director of our Live/Work studio, José Alvarez, FAIA, LEED AP, has been elevated to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows, one of the highest honors in the profession.

This distinction recognizes architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and society on a national level. With only about three percent of AIA’s more than 94,000 members achieving Fellowship, the designation FAIA is a mark of excellence and leadership in the field.

Click here to view the full list of 2025 Fellows.

Emigrating from Venezuela to the U.S. in 1997, José has built a career defined by design excellence, community-driven architecture, and a commitment to equity and inclusion. Over his 28 years with EskewDumezRipple, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s design identity, leading nationally recognized projects like the LEED-Platinum Center of Developing Entrepreneurs in Charlottesville and the award-winning Mya affordable housing development in Salt Lake City. Beyond his design leadership, José has been a driving force in increasing representation in the profession, revitalizing the Louisiana Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), mentoring young designers, and spearheading initiatives like the firm’s MLK Day of Service.

We wanted to commemorate this achievement by highlighting José’s work and the profound impact he has had on architecture and the broader community. His career has been defined by a commitment to design excellence, social equity, and mentorship—shaping not only the built environment but also the future of the profession. From leading transformative projects that prioritize sustainability and inclusivity to advocating for greater diversity in architecture, José’s contributions continue to leave a lasting mark.

Below, we take a closer look at his journey, his projects, and the values that have guided his work.

A Practice Forged Through Design Excellence & Community Benefit

José has been a tremendous force in driving the design identity of EskewDumezRipple over the last 27 years. Many of the projects under his design leadership have gone on to national recognition.

Center of Developing Entrepreneurs. Charlottesville, VA.

This includes awards for holistic design excellence, like the Center of Developing Entrepreneurs, a LEED-Platinum mixed-use project in Downtown Charlottesville, Virginia, that simultaneously supports the highest standards of human health. The building was envisioned as a new public forum and public space where individuals across demographics might meet in pursuit of a better future. The project was honored with 2023 AIA National Architecture and 2024 AIA National Interior Architecture awards.

Other projects have maintained a similar ripple effect in transforming urban life. At Mya, an affordable housing and mixed-use project in Salt Lake City, Utah, José led a design team in driving a novel mix of microunit apartments and tenant amenities to address the city’s worsening housing crisis. A dedication to walkability, the integration of local art, and a place-based design response have offered underserved residents a new way of living and working in the heart of the rapidly growing city.

Through such projects, José has reinforced the role of architecture as a catalyzing force for elevating urban life and strengthening communities.

A Champion of Equity and Inclusion

José with Project Pipeline students at annual Summer Workshop. *New Orleans, LA. 2014.*

José is passionate not only about great architecture, but representation in the profession itself.

José was instrumental in the reorganization and establishment of the Louisiana State chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), a chapter that had disbanded and ceased operations following Hurricane Katrina.

José presenting at National NOMA Conference. *2014.*

Following José’s Leadership as Program Director and President (2012, 2014 respectively) the Louisiana State Chapter of NOMA was honored with the 2013 American Institute of Architects Diversity Recognition Program Award and the 2013 Diversity Achievement Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA).

Through NOMA, José has reinvigorated the chapter’s outreach to underrepresented communities in the profession, most notably through Project Pipeline, a mentorship program designed to expose young students to the design profession and provide career support and opportunities.

A Partner Empowering Community

Day of Service team members painting a cover for an electrical unit in support of High Voltage. The deign honored a local band director and mentor for the neighborhood. *New Orleans, LA. 2024.*

José places community participation at the heart of practice and encourages members of the studio to be active in their communities both professionally and personally. José’s broad interest in design equity extends to offering design services to underfunded organizations that often struggle to finance it.

José designed and leads the annual EskewDumezRipple MLK Day of Service Program, an annual firm-wide initiative that simultaneously strengthens its commitment to building community and honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Each MLK Day the firm donates the design services of its entire staff to amplify the capacity of nonprofit organizations working to better the New Orleans community in a collaborative design process tailored to their needs.

In 2024, a year that marked the tenth anniversary of the Day of Service, José was instrumental in expanding the program in the broader design community, recruiting ten additional architecture firms across the city to contribute, effectively doubling the program’s outreach and positive impacts.

The program is poised for continued growth, inspiring more firms to take part and fostering a lasting culture of service, collaboration, and community-driven design. With its increasing reach and impact, the initiative serves as a model for how architects can engage meaningfully with their communities, ensuring that design remains a powerful tool for social change and equitable development for years to come.

Day of Service design team members in a charette. *New Orleans, LA. 2024.*

José’s elevation to the AIA College of Fellows is a testament to his lifelong dedication to architecture as a force for good—one that shapes communities, fosters inclusivity, and pushes the boundaries of design excellence.

His work serves as a model for how architects can balance innovation with social responsibility, ensuring that the built environment not only inspires but also empowers those it serves. As he steps into this well-earned recognition, his impact continues to ripple outward, influencing the next generation of architects and reinforcing the role of design in building a more equitable and sustainable future.

Congratulations, José. Truly well-deserved!