JEFF SHEPPARD HONORED WITH AIA WESTERN MOUNTAIN REGION'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD—THE 2017 SILVER MEDAL

Prominent Denver architect awarded the American Institute of Architects Western Mountain Region's highest honor for significant contributions to the Institute, profession and citizens of the Western Mountain Region

DENVER, Colorado—October 26, 2017—Roth Sheppard Architects, the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Western Mountain Region 2012 Architectural Firm of the Year, known for its award-winning restaurant, retail and law enforcement design throughout the West, today announced that Architect Jeffrey (Jeff) Sheppard, AIA, was recognized on October 14th by the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Western Mountain Region with the organization's highest honor, the 2017 Silver Medal.

During an awards ceremony at the World Market Center in Las Vegas, Sheppard was presented with the prestigious award, which "recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the Institute, the profession and the citizens of the Western Mountain Region, their community, and who transcended local boundaries in making these contributions." The Silver Medal is the highest level of recognition an architect can receive from the American Institute of Architects' Western Mountain Region.

“Jeffrey Sheppard has presented well-recognized design work, a robust portfolio, and his presentation is well-made," said Jury Chair Robin Shambach, AIA, LEED AP, principal of BWS Architects. "The body of work evidences that he speaks about architecture in the community, is in the media promoting good design, (and) encouraging others to do the same. Being named a 'top thinker' serves the profession well."

"This award represents a milestone in my 38 year career as it not only recognizes our firm's work, it honors our larger vision of raising the level of design expectation in Denver, Colorado, and across the Western Mountain Region," said Sheppard, who was the AIA-Colorado Architect of the Year in 2014 and is widely known as one of the top designers in Colorado. "My hope is that we will never be satisfied with the status quo. Design, for me, is a thoughtful layering of context, culture, history, precedent and our emotional response to the physical environment, to achieve the best, most appropriate solution. Achieving great design isn't easy, but it is critical for the future of our cities and communities."

Sheppard's current focus is on multi-family housing typologies and how design quality can be improved to enhance neighborhoods rather than destroy the authenticity and sense of place that makes them special and diverse. As well, his presentations and meetings across the Western Mountain Region continue to explore the impact of reimagining design standards and engaging communities, developers and architects in a more collaborative approach to creating "place-based" design solutions.