SCI-Arc Faculty Member Herwig Baumgartner Elevated to AIA College of Fellows

SCI-Arc faculty member and Applied Studies Coordinator Herwig Baumgartner has been elevated to the College of Fellows by the The American Institute of Architects (AIA), one of the highest honors in the architectural profession.

Each year, the AIA recognizes a select group of architects whose work has made a significant impact on the discipline and society at large. In 2026, 78 architects nationwide were elevated to Fellowship. Of those, seven are from California and only two are based in Los Angeles, placing Baumgartner among a distinguished cohort of leaders shaping the field today.

Fellowship in the AIA is awarded to members who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to architecture and the built environment through design, research, education, and professional leadership. Baumgartner’s elevation recognizes decades of work across practice and academia, as well as his sustained commitment to experimentation, collaboration, and architectural inquiry.

“I’m honored to share that I’ve been elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA),” Baumgartner shared. “This recognition reflects many years of work, but more importantly the support of colleagues, mentors, and institutions who have shaped my practice, research, and teaching. I’m especially grateful to those who advocated on my behalf and generously shared their time, advice, and confidence in the work. FAIA is a meaningful milestone, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the discipline through experimentation, collaboration, and architectural inquiry.”

At SCI-Arc, Baumgartner serves as Applied Studies Coordinator and faculty member, where he advances rigorous design research and supports students in developing forward-thinking approaches to architecture. His elevation to the College of Fellows reflects both his individual achievements and SCI-Arc’s ongoing commitment to shaping the future of the discipline.

We congratulate Herwig on this well-deserved honor.