The American Institute of Architects Tennessee Chapter (AIA Tennessee) proudly honored two exceptional individuals during the 2025 AIA Tennessee Conference on Architecture, held August 6–8 at the Embassy Suites Downtown in Nashville. The annual awards recognized decades of leadership, service, and transformative contributions to Tennessee’s built environment.
Douglas (Doug) McCarty, FAIA, received the William Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by AIA Tennessee for design excellence and professional leadership. Over his five-decade career, McCarty has shaped the architectural identity of East Tennessee through his work as Design Director and Principal at McCarty Holsaple McCarty (MHM). His portfolio includes landmark civic and institutional projects such as the Tennessee Theatre restoration, Knoxville Convention Center, and the University of Tennessee’s Art + Architecture Building—selected through a national design competition and still regarded as a pedagogical model for design education.
McCarty’s influence extends beyond architecture into civic engagement and mentorship. He has served on the board of the East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC) for over 40 years, championing pro bono design services for underserved communities across 16 counties.
His leadership helped sustain the ETCDC through decades of growth, and his volunteer work has supported over 1,000 community projects. McCarty’s legacy also includes shaping the University of Tennessee campus through multiple award-winning projects and mentoring generations of architects through his firm and professional service.
Ann Roberts was awarded the Samuel Morgan Lifetime Service Award, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to historic preservation and public service. As Executive Director of the Metropolitan Nashville Historical Commission from 1982 to 2008, Roberts led efforts to preserve and revitalize some of Nashville’s most iconic landmarks, including the Ryman Auditorium, Union Station, Shelby Street Bridge, and Fort Negley. She played a pivotal role in establishing Nashville’s historic overlay zoning protections and launched the city’s annual Preservation Awards program.Roberts’s impact continued through her leadership of the Nashville Historical Foundation, where she spearheaded the creation of “Nashville Sites,” a digital public history platform offering mobile-friendly tours of the city’s architectural and cultural heritage. Her work has elevated public awareness of preservation, fostered civic pride, and inspired collaboration across disciplines.
“These recipients exemplify the enduring power of architecture and public service,” said John Thurman, AIA, President of AIA Tennessee. “Doug McCarty and Ann Roberts have each shaped Tennessee’s communities in profound ways—through design, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We were honored to celebrate the profound impact of their lifelong work.”
The awards ceremony featured tributes from colleagues, highlights of the recipients’ work, and reflections on their lasting impact. AIA Tennessee members, partners, and guests gathered to honor these remarkable individuals whose careers reflect the highest ideals of the profession.
