New York-based architect and educator, Deborah Berke, has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2025 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gold Medal. Recognized for her exceptional contributions to architectural design and education, Berke’s career spans over four decades, during which she has championed innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in both her projects and teaching.
The AIA Gold Medal, one of the highest honors in architecture, celebrates an individual whose work has made a lasting impact on the theory and practice of architecture. Berke, the founder of the architecture firm TenBerke (formerly Deborah Berke Partners) and Dean of the Yale School of Architecture since 2016, has built a reputation for her emphasis on sustainable design and context-sensitive approaches to a range of projects, from residential homes to university buildings.
In awarding her the Gold Medal, the AIA highlighted her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to both sustainability and social responsibility. As the AIA stated:
“Berke is a transformative figure in architecture whose career spans over four decades. She has combined design excellence, academic leadership, and a commitment to social and environmental responsibility.”
Berke’s career began with founding Deborah Berke Partners in 1982, and she would go on to become the first female dean of the Yale School of Architecture, where her influence on architectural education has been profound. As the AIA noted:
“From founding her practice, Deborah Berke Partners, in 1982 to becoming the first female dean of the Yale School of Architecture, her journey exemplifies innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.”
Her body of work includes notable projects such as the Richardson Olmsted Complex in New York and the Dickinson College High Street Residence Hall in Pennsylvania. The Richardson Olmsted Complex, which involved converting a 19th-century mental hospital into Hotel Henry, won multiple awards for its adaptive reuse and sustainable design. Completed in 2017, this project highlighted Berke’s dedication to preserving historic structures while transforming them into functional, contemporary spaces.
In her academic role, Berke has also made significant strides in improving accessibility and financial aid for students, as well as championing interdisciplinary programs at Yale. Her approach has not only shaped future architects but also made the field more inclusive and accessible.
Her practice, TenBerke, continues to demonstrate her commitment to sustainable architecture, with recent projects like a 1950s law building on Harvard University’s campus, where she reimagined the space to better meet modern educational needs. The AIA described her work as:
“Her practice has consistently prioritized adaptive reuse, transforming historic structures into vibrant, functional spaces.”
Beyond her design work and teaching, Berke has also served on prominent boards such as the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the Norman Foster Foundation. She has received numerous accolades, including the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, recognizing her as a leading figure in the field of architecture.
The AIA Gold Medal, established in 1907, honors individuals whose work has profoundly influenced architectural practice and theory. Previous recipients include David Lake and Ted Flato of Lake Flato Architects and Carol Ross Barney, showcasing a long-standing tradition of recognizing excellence in the field. Earlier this year, Dezeen included Berke in its list of the 50 most powerful women in architecture and design.
