Congratulations to Parke MacDowell (M.Arch ‘11), AIA, on being recognized with a 2022 AIA Young Architects Award. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers.

As an architect, MacDowell uses hands-on exploration of shapes to solve design problems and communicate solutions, leveraging his background in construction to inform design and project management. His deep commitment to fabrication within architectural practice bolsters equity and value in his projects by using models, prototypes, and full-scale mock-ups that help all parties understand the problem and have a voice in its resolution. 

MacDowell established the model shop and fabrication lab at Payette, which he first joined in 2015. Fabrication is now key to the personality of the firm, where MacDowell has been an integral part of a broad range of projects. His recent work has garnered two AIA 2021 Regional and Urban Design Awards and a 2021 American Architecture Award, among other accolades. 

With a special passion for the community-building potential of architecture, MacDowell leads numerous pro-bono initiatives positioning design as a tool for outreach, community engagement, and building for the future. His work for Beyond Walls in Lynn – Underpass Lighting, WaSH and FoLD – combined civic activism and superb design in the community, and was widely recognized with multiple design awards. He also co-founded the Boston Society of Architects Knowledge Community MKR|MGR, which is dedicated to the developing and enhancing fabrication studios within architecture firms.

Watch this video to learn more about MacDowell’s design approach and public-facing work.

Read more about the 2022 AIA Young Architects Award recipients.