WASHINGTON—January 9, 2009—The American Architectural Foundation (AAF) will present its 2009 Keystone Award to Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz, current president of The U.S. Conference of Mayors, at the 20th Annual Accent on Architecture Gala in Washington, D.C. on February 6, 2009.

The Keystone Award is presented annually by AAF to an organization or individual outside of the architectural profession for their leadership in demonstrating the power of architecture and design to improve lives and transform communities.

Three years ago, Mayor Diaz launched Miami 21, a comprehensive master plan for Miami based on new urbanism and smart growth principles, which include economic development, park and public places, transportation, historic preservation, and arts and culture.

Mayor Diaz is also being honored by AAF for his vision for Miami that is guided by an understanding of, and commitment to, sustainable design. He created the city’s first Office of Sustainable Initiatives which coordinates Miami’s environmental programs, retrofitted City Hall, which now sports solar panels, and launched the city’s first Citywide Tree Master Plan, which aims at enhancing and restoring the city’s tree canopy.

By presenting Mayor Diaz with the Keystone Award, the American Architectural Foundation is recognizing and honoring his vision for the design of his city.

“Mayor Diaz has been a leader in design and smart growth on the national level, as well as in Miami. His achievements in design leadership have enriched the quality of life for the residents of Miami and transformed his community into being recognized as one of the best cities in the world,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director of The U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Mayor Diaz is a member of the National Advisory Council of the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, a partnership program of the National Endowment for the Arts, American Architectural Foundation, and The U.S. Conference of Mayors.

“Mayor Diaz is revolutionizing downtown Miami through design. Through public art, multi-family housing, transit, mixed-use developments, and preservation of Miami’s historic neighborhood fabric, he is constantly utilizing design to shape a more sustainable future,” said Sandy Diehl, chair of the AAF Board of Regents.

AAF's Keystone Award was established in 1988. Two past recipients have been mayors—Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago and Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. of Charleston, South Carolina. Additional past recipients include: The Museum of Modern Art, Save America's Treasures, the philanthropic Pritzker Family of Chicago, and the Office of the Commissioner of the Public Building Service of the General Services Administration.

The Accent on Architecture Gala is the nation's preeminent celebration of architecture and design excellence. It is presented each year by the AAF in association with the American Institute of Architects. This year's event will feature the presentation of the AAF Keystone Award, as well as the AIA Gold Medal, AIA Twenty-five Year Award, and AIA Architecture Firm Award. Approximately 1,000 guests will attend the black-tie gala at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN ARCHITECTURAL FOUNDATION Since its creation in 1943, the American Architectural Foundation (AAF) has consistently sought to educate the public about the power of architecture in their lives. By helping local leaders tackle critical design challenges, AAF serves as a conduit between the world of design and the practical decisions leaders make that shape their communities. In recent years, the AAF has emerged as a leading national resource in providing leadership development programs in design through the highly regarded Mayors’ Institute on City Design and Great Schools by Design. Through these programs, AAF helps leaders use the power of architecture to improve lives and transform communities. For more information please visit www.archfoundation.org

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Media Contact:
Helen J. Wechsler
American Architectural Foundation
202-626-7372
hwechsler@archfoundation.org