The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated MAPP alum Craig Spangler (B.ARCH ‘82) to its College of Fellows. He is one of 96 members–and two non-member architects–elevated this year out of 80,000 AIA members. This honor is one of the most prestigious awarded to an architect, with only 3% holding the distinction.
A nationally recognized architect for almost 30 years, Spangler is a true innovator in sustainable design. He is the senior principal at Ballinger, a world-renowned interdisciplinary design firm based in Philadelphia, Pa. During his tenure, he has substantially grown the firm’s higher education portfolio, designing meaningful and transformative projects for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Swarthmore College, as well as his alma mater.
Spangler is behind a number of award-winning projects for the University of Maryland's campus, including the Bioscience Research Building, A. James Clark Hall, and the upcoming Stanley R. Zupnik Hall, a new interdisciplinary engineering building. The new Chemistry Wing, which he developed with fellow alum and Ballinger Associate Principal Katherine Wohlsen, AIA (M.ARCH '96), will be dedicated in April.
“Submitting for fellowship is a demanding but rewarding process that requires chronicling your career across many dimensions,” said Spangler. “For me, this included profiling my projects at many notable institutions across the country, four of which I was fortunate to design on Maryland’s campus. I was very proud to highlight these and my many years of involvement with MAPP as significant hallmarks of my professional journey.”
Spangler has served on MAPP’s Board of Visitors for over a decade and was awarded the University of Maryland President’s Award in 2023. He joins an elite group of MAPP alums to hold this distinguished title; 30 MAPP alums have now been recognized as FAIA.
The AIA will honor him at the AIA Awards Gala on June 7, 2024, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Learn more about the fellowship here.