Southwest Washington AIA Awards: Dogwood House and Billy Frank Jr. Leadership Institute
[TOPIC: Southwest Washington AIA Awards | Dogwood House | Billy Frank Jr. Leadership Institute | Passive Building | Net-Zero Design | Equity and Tradition | Sustainable Architecture]
In 2025, our firm was honored by the Southwest Washington chapter of the American Institute of Architects (SWAIA) with both a Citation Award, for our Dogwood House design, and an Honorable Mention Award for Equity | Tradition, for our Billy Frank, Jr. Legacy Institute design.
Awards Jury and Recognition
To decide on the winning designs, SWAIA convened a panel of five distinguished architects from the AIA Redwood Empire. We’re deeply honored to be recognized by these giants in the California industry and by our regional chapter.
About the SWAIA Awards
The biannual awards exist to recognize outstanding architects and architecture in Washington. They affirm that we’re on the cutting edge, in the company of six other elite firms in Southwest Washington, including:
legacy firms that have been leading the design of commercial and residential spaces in our communities for decades
other passive building specialists who are deeply committed to the latest in building science and environmentally sustainable design
Mission and Values
The SWAIA mission states that members “adhere to the shared vision to drive positive change through the power of design and focused activism.”
Receiving these awards affirms our commitment:
to these values
to gatherable, equitable, design-forward spaces
to the power they have to make our communities more beautiful and more resilient
Award-Winning Designs
We are deeply grateful and excited to do more excellent design work going forward.
Here are our winning designs.
Dogwood House: 2025 AIA Citation Award
This net-zero house was designed to be in scale with the existing urban neighborhood, engaging the street with a front porch and large south-facing windows.
The house is a Phius certified, Passive Housepassive building featuring pre-fabricated construction.
Program and Spatial Organization
This elegant home is modest in size—three bedrooms, two bathrooms—to fit on the small footprint of an existing lot.
The interior is organized around shared spaces:
the kitchen and living area downstairs
a mezzanine in the sightline of the kitchen below
The mezzanine provides access to a large private roof deck.
Billy Frank Jr. Legacy Institute: 2025 AIA Honorable Mention Award for Equity | Tradition
This visionary project not only embraces the essence of sustainability but also honors and uplifts the rich cultural heritage of Nisqually people.
Sustainability and Resilience
The sustainable building project sets a new benchmark in green construction.
Nestled in the independent Native community of Franks Landing, the 1,800 square-foot academy embodies resilience and innovation.
It is:
designed for Passive House certification
designed to withstand floods—a key component since the structure will sit on the banks of the Nisqually river
Building Systems and Materials
It’s designed with:
triple-paned windows
Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems
The academy achieves net-zero energy through a blend of:
solar panels
hyper-comfortable mechanicals
naturally sourced local materials
Cultural Inspiration and Community Use
Inspired by the traditional longhouse, it appears to be actively unfolding, evolving like the community it serves. Its design:
Captures the eastern light and views
Engages expansive exterior community spaces for traditional net-making and teaching
© Artisans Group Architecture + Planning — Sustainable Architecture, Passive House, and Passive Building Design Experts
Posted on February 01, 2026
