Photo: Samantha “Sami” Szeszulski with her award at the AIA Michigan Awards Ceremony. Pictured L-R: (Kingscott) Principal Dan Tryles, Principal/President Rob Atkins, Sami Szeszulski, Principal Brendon Pollard, Senior Design Architect John Davids.
Kingscott’s Sami Szeszulski Recipient of AIA Michigan Young Architect Award
(June 20, 2023)
KALAMAZOO, Mich.– The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Michigan chapter has named Samantha “Sami” Szeszulski as a recipient of its 2023 Young Architect Award. Szeszulski serves the Kingscott team as a Design Architect and Project Manager and as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
The AIA Michigan Young Architect Award is granted at the state level to honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers. Szeszulski has been an AIA Member since 2013 and a licensed architect since 2018.
Szeszulski is currently leading a $100 million-dollar bond effort with Lansing School District that includes two brand new K-8 schools and air conditioning upgrades for 11 additional buildings in the district, as well as additional renovations. She is also serving as Project Manager to the Kingscott team on the new Carstens School and Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy for the Detroit Public Schools Community District, and recently led the renovations at the district’s old Northern High School building. Additionally, Szeszulski recently designed and managed the project for the new Hartford Alternative Education Center for Hartford Public Schools, which opened its doors earlier this spring, and a significant addition to the Special Education Services building at Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) in Flint which is nearing the end of construction.
Szeszulski received the Young Architect Award at the AIA Michigan Honor Awards, Friday, June 16, at the Henry Ford Museum.
“I am beyond honored to be selected by AIA Michigan as this year’s Young Architect Award recipient,” Szeszulski said. “This career path is rarely an easy one, but I’m grateful to have been surrounded by so many talented colleagues, mentors, and leaders of their years that have contributed to my growth.
“While this may be an individual recognition, architecture is truly a team sport, and I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to be a part of some of the best teams. For anyone who has played any part in my growth as an architect or in a roll on my project teams over the years, I hope that you recognize my receipt of this award as a recognition of your contributions to this profession as well, and I can’t thank you enough.”
“This award could not have gone to a more deserving architect than Sami,” said Kingscott President, Rob Atkins. “She has accomplished so much in her career and in this industry and she has only just begun. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Sami.”
As a Design Architect, Szeszulski solves her clients’ challenges through architecture, creating spaces that reflect their communities and improve their daily lives. She maintains the philosophy that architecture must follow the lead of its users and accommodate their needs—from the day-to-day, to the special occasion—and adapt over time to meet those needs. As Project Manager, her focus is to keep the client and AE team working in harmony, removing roadblocks and bringing the shared vision to life. As a member of Kingscott’s Executive Leadership Team, Szeszulski’s top priority is fiercely protecting and promoting Kingscott’s team and company culture. She believes that aspirational company goals must be accompanied by tangible processes and steps towards implementation. She firmly believes a successful company is dependent on aligning each team member’s responsibilities with their skills and passions.
Szeszulski earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree at Lawrence Technological University and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. She has also served as an adjunct instructor for Lawrence Tech. She is a LEED Green Associate and holds an NCARB certificate.
Szeszulski has been an active member of the AIA, holding leadership positions at the local, state and national levels, and was named the 2018 AIA Detroit Associate Member of the Year. She was a scholar in the AIA Detroit Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) and was a fellow in the highly competitive Challenge Detroit fellowship program.
Established in 1929, Kingscott is the second oldest architectural, engineering and interior design firm in the state of Michigan and has office locations in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Chelsea and Royal Oak. Kingscott specializes in the design and planning of K-12 schools, commercial buildings, and senior living communities and is continuing to expand its portfolio in other development areas.
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