Colorado Real Estate Journal - December 2, 2015
There wasn’t one defining moment that led Adam Harding to architecture. Rather, it was a passion for drawing and being creative that led Harding to a career in design. That is, after he learned in his first architecture class what a façade was. “I remember we were told to go out and find examples of facades and I had to ask what a façade was,” laughed Harding, AIA, LEED AP, and project architect with Roth Sheppard Architects. Yet in less than 12 years Harding has gone from asking what a façade is to winning not only AIA-Denver Young Architect of the Year in 2014 and 2015 Young Architect of the Year for AIAColorado but also recently being named the American Institute of Architects Western Mountain Region’s 2015 Young Architect of the Year. “It is a huge honor to have been presented this award by my Western Mountain Region peers,” said Harding. “Being worthy of this level of recognition was a goal I set for myself after becoming licensed. I continually push myself to be the best architect I can be, so to be selected at this point in my career is indeed humbling. This award will forever serve as a reminder to strive to be the best I can be.” Self-accountability has been a hallmark to Harding’s young career, which started at Roth Sheppard following graduation from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in environmental design in 2004. Harding became a licensed architect at the age of 29. “I am a big proponent of self-accountability, setting goals and reaching them,” explained Harding. “But it’s not about the destination, it is about the path taken and the people encountered.” “Adam’s work is impactful beyond the confines of a specific project. It influences the entire office and our desire to raise the level of design expectation throughout the region,” said Jeffrey Sheppard, AIA, co-founder and design principal of Roth Sheppard. “It is rare that a young architect has the ability, passion and conviction to influence the culture of an office and the environment that surrounds us. Adam has done this, not only with his design and management skills but also with his dedication to improvement.” “I have known Adam personally and professionally for over 15 years. He is an exceptional individual and leader, and a perceptive architect with boundless energy, discipline, dedication and passion for this work and the profession of architecture,” added Herb Roth, FAIA, co-founder and principal of Roth Sheppard Architects. Over his career, Harding has overseen a number of public- and private-sector projects as a designer and project architect at the firm, including Izakaya Den, MillerCoors Blue Moon Brewery, the Boulder Modern Market (formerly named Modmarket) restaurant, Breckenridge Brewery’s Ale House at Amato’s restaurant, Riverside Library and Cultural Center in Evans and the Cherry Hills Village/South Metro Fire Rescue Joint Public Safety Building. “The work that we do is very thoughtful, design-driven and a lot of fun. We always are pushing the boundaries, pushing thinking to new creative ways,” said Harding. “It’s recognizing places being special, recognizing the importance of what we do here – creating spaces that are unique, comfortable – creating a community.” It is this creating of a community that is especially rewarding to Harding, who relishes the challenging transformation of an idea into a physical place people can experience. “Designing is my No. 1 love with this work,” added Harding, who attributes his success to being accountable and doing what he says he is going to do; the support of his peers and mentors, Sheppard and Roth; as well as the atypical route he took – foregoing graduate school to get hands-on design experience right away. “The past 11 years have flown by.” Harding also advocates giving back and is active in outreach with AIA, mentoring CU students, mentoring interns within Roth Sheppard’s own office and participating in the firm’s So You Want To Be An Architect program for high school students. Outside of the office, Harding enjoys snowboarding and riding bikes. However, he is most excited about the arrival of his and wife Jenna’s first child in February.