AIA Nevada Silver Medal Nominee 2020 . Angela Bigotti-Chavez, AIA

Nomination Letter

29 September 2020

AIA Nevada Honors & Awards CommitteeNomination of Angela Bigotti, AIA for 2020 AIA Nevada Silver Medal

I have had the pleasure of knowing Angela Bigotti as a colleague and friend for the past 20 years. I first met Angela when she was the President of the Northern Nevada AIA Chapter and I was President of the Las Vegas Chapter. We were in Washington DC for Grassroots and wondering what exactly we had gotten ourselves into...20 years later I’m still wondering but the respect I have for Angela, for what she has done for her community and this profession has continued to grow. There is no doubt in my mind if Angela is deserving of this honor...the only question is, why have we waited so long to honor her?

When one is as enthusiastic of their community and this profession as Angela Bigotti is, you can only imagine that her creative work would take on the same passion...and it does. I’ve had the pleasure of walking through several of her projects. In each of these projects, I have marvelled at the composition of materials brought together in detail. Her work is a direct reflection of the place she lives. Each project embraces her passion of program and site, while molding materials which respect the environment into a celebration of space and light. From materials, compositions and detailing, her work expresses that which is Reno. But the real soul of Angela, that which is unmeasurable in design awards and professional accolades is defined through her willingness to give back to her community and to the next generation of professionals.

Last fall I took the 5th Year Graduate Studio to Reno to have the opportunity to tour the city’s architecture. Angela not only met with the students and walked them through her work but she then invited them to her office and spent the next several hours talking design, the profession, Reno, drawing and her work with them. She stayed with the students through all their questions, encouraging them to engage in their own pursuits while also establishing connections with several of the students that continue today. This fall she again participated with our students, she was the inaugural speaker for the UNLV AIAS “Off the Clock” speaker series.

For over 20 years, Angela through her firm,Van Woert Bigotti Architects has been contributing to the Design Excellence of her Community, State and Region. Angela’s work is refined, thoroughly thought out and the resulting achievements have been extremely well received by her peers through the AIA Nevada Design Excellent Program, where she has received numerous Awards for her work. Her work has raised the bar of architecture in the State of Nevada. It is that effort, that commitment to the betterment of her own community and the students at UNLV that separates Angela Bigotti from the others.

The Silver Medal is an acknowledgement of the full commitment of an individual to this profession, their community and their family. It is a highly desired and respected honor to receive. We should ask of the honoree that this not be a conclusion to their commitment but an expectation of even greater things to be achieved. With the receipt of this honor the individual is being held to the highest standards of this state and the profession...it is because of this, because of the quality of her work, her dedication to her community and family, and the friendship that she has shared with me and others, that I feel this honor is deserved. More importantly, I’m privileged to support Angela because I have witnessed her dedication first hand...sitting on AIA Boards with her, her support of the UNLV activities which I have undertaken, to walking her projects, Angela Bigotti is truly deserving of this award and I’m honored to support her consideration.

Sincerely,

Eric Strain, AIAPrincipal, assemblageSTUDIOAssociate Professor, UNLV School of Architecture

a s s e m b l a g eS T U D I O817 s . ma in s t e 200las vegas, nevada 891017 0 2 . 7 5 6 . 9 4 2 8 p

www.assemblagestudio.com

A Foundation of FamilyAngela didn’t choose architecture while admiring a historical building or seeing the lines of skyscrapers. Instead, it was her time spent growing up on construction sites, surrounded by her family of builders: her father, a general contractor, her grandfather, an iron worker, and her uncle a furniture maker. You might say that the passion to create buildings runs through her blood. At a young age she spent time with her father in the shop and on job sites where, combined with her interest in drawing, she discovered a curiosity and attraction to the idea of architecture. She took to drafting in an eighth-grade classroom. After winning the Washoe County School District’s “House Design Student Competition” that year, she fell head over heels for architecture. That’s when she decided to become an architect. She says, “It felt very instinctive to me; I clearly became driven to make buildings and great places.”.

Inspired to Shape Nevada’s LandscapeHer affinity for the region also runs deep in her roots. She is a third generation Nevadan, native to Reno. She grew up hiking and exploring the high desert, tending to raising animals on her family’s ranches in Reno, and participating in many events in rural communities such as Winnemucca, Fallon, and Fernley. From the Ruby Mountains to the Tahoe National Forest, Angela’s time outdoors developed her appreciation of the climate, views, and terrain; an inspiration to her sustainable approach to architecture today across all of northern Nevada. Her work brings innovative, site-inspired design to communities that otherwise wouldn’t know the difference architecture can make to the way they live.

Mapping Her PathAngela burst onto the northern Nevada architectural scene in 1992 after graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Design and a Masters of Architecture Degree from Arizona State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design. She targeted Sheehan Van Woert Architects to kick-start her career. At that time, the firm’s dynamic design presence and respect in the community, led by the wisdom of Jack B. Sheehan, AIA and the integrity of Brad Van Woert III, AIA, offered a momentum she quickly embraced. After 7 years with the firm, she was offered a partnership in 1999 and became the firm’s Vice President. The firm became known as Sheehan Van Woert Bigotti Architecture. Angela became Nevada’s first female partner of a major firm, providing the bridge to the 21st century milieu of architecture and its remarkable potential. Her leadership quickly energized the design studio with her innovation and motivation. Angela remains focused on raising the level of discourse on design within the firm and on promoting excellence in the architectural work they create.

Biography

Angela Bigotti-ChavezAIA, NCARB

PrincipalVan Woert Bigotti Architects

Bonded to the AIAA firm believer in pushing her profession to the top of its game, Angela began her involvement in the AIA early in her career in 1993. She believes the AIA is where she joins with like-minds to create a force for better living. Her roles have included President of the local and state AIA Chapters. She has served as Newsletter Editor, Programs Director, Media Coordinator, and her current position on the 2020 Board of Directors for Northern Nevada AIA is Communications Director. A current goal of hers is to bring together the expertise and visionary talent of the local architects to present guidance and leadership at this pivotal time of change in the world. As Programs Chair from 1994-2000, she advocated for weaving together the visions of the community, public officials, and architects by organizing 20 guest speaker engagements. These efforts helped inspire the platform of the Black Rock Design Institute (BRDI), founded by a few of her closest colleagues including her partner Brad, which continues to educate the community.

Inspiring the FutureAngela’s counsel in the education of young designers builds unabashed enthusiasm for architecture; learning as much from each generation as she teaches them. For her, mentoring is about questioning what is and believing what could be. She infuses innovative thinking about design through her participation as a speaker in K-12 classes and a juror at UNLV and Truckee Meadows Community College. Engaging students of all ages, she emphasizes design as a way to improve the world. People as the FocusFor Angela, design begins and ends with the experiences of the people who live in the spaces she designs. She equally considers the person listening to a sermon in a place of worship as she does the junior high student socializing on his way to class - envisioning innovative ways to enhance their lives.

Rethinking the norm and surpassing the expected, is what infuses Angela’s approach to new solutions for typical places. Whether making spaces for learning, research, worship, or running a business, Angela aspires to encourage the discovery of unique solutions for each client. She celebrates bringing together the Van Woert Bigotti team with the client to generate a consensus of new thought and new solution – often allowing surprising results. Collaboration breeds innovation and keeps the creative process fresh, revealing new possibilities. She allows the process to incubate an essence that defines form from which placemaking evolves and iconic architectural expression develops. Inspired by place and inspired by experience, her designs have a high degree of sensitivity to the site and the client’s brief.

Design ExcellenceAngela’s creative leadership exemplifies her energy and tenacity for the pursuit for excellence, which has helped earn Van Woert Bigotti Architects numerous AIA Nevada Honor awards, sustainability awards, and several industry awards in the western region. For over 25 years, she remains driven to reach beyond function and form, and transform the practicalities of space into enlightened architectural environments. The shaping of both material and light combined with contextual innovation, while allowing the budget constraints to inspire a higher level of creative resolve, exemplifies her design philosophy; focusing on taking project solutions from the ordinary to the extraordinary for a “uniqueness” that resonates for both her clients and end users. To that end, she believes that design is for the people and the longevity of great places to be experienced.

Angela cherishes team dynamics. Her career is enriched by her partnership with Brad Van Woert for over 20 years, and the dedication of their talented staff, without whom she knows her own professional goals would not be realized. She considers herself enormously blessed and believes the success of the firm is a direct result of the co-creation of their creative sensibilities, neurosis, and architectural obsession. Together they continue to enjoy the joys of building great relationships and memorable places.

Biography

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTSLocal: Northern Nevada Chapter

• Associate Director and Newsletter Editor 1993 Beaux Arts Ball Planning Committee 1994• Board of Directors Member, 1993-1999• Programs Chair, 1994-2000• Continuing Education Chair, 1996 and 1997• Architecture Week Co-Chair, 1997 and 1998 Urban Design Roundtable Discussion Chair Home Tour Chair MediaCommitteeChair KNPB Television Program Chair “Back from the Brink”• Newletter Editor, 1996 and 1997• Architecture Week “Designing a Better Reno” Program Participant 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001• Canstruction Co-Chair, AIA partner effort with Food Bank of

northern Nevada 1998, 1999• President Elect and President, 1997-98• Golf Tournament Volunteer, 1998• Board of Directors Member, 2020 CommunicationsChair

State: Nevada Chapter• Associate Member, Board of Directors, 1996• Member, Board of Directors, 1997• Member, Board of Directors, 1998• Western Mountain Region Conference, Committee, 1998• President Elect, 1999• President, 2000• Past President, 2001

AWARD PROGRAM INVOLVEMENT• WMR Awards• WMR Awards co-chair 2009• State Awards 1999• AIA Spokane, Design Awards Juror, 2018• Via Inspirations Center Design Competition, Hawaii, Design Juror, 2002

MENTORINGUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Architecture• Design Juror 2015• Design Juror 2016• Project Tour and Discussion• Roundtable Discussion Participant, “ChallengesandOpportunitiesinArchitecture”• Guest Speaker,

Truckee Meadows Community College• Design Juror, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2014, 2015• Host for Students “End of year Mentoring”, 2018• Guest speaker, “Realities of Sustainability”, Desert Research Institute, 2015

Washoe County School District• Design Juror, High School Drafting Competition 1995• Guest Speaker on Design, 1995 AndersonElementarySchool• Partner in Education - Van Woert Bigotti Architects DoubleDiamondElementarySchool1997-2006• Architect for Career Day WoosterHighSchool1996,1997 ReedHighSchool1998

University of Nevada Reno• Mentor for UNR Interior Design Program

COMMUNITY SERVICE Northern Nevada• Rotary International, Member,SparksClub,1998-2004• Feeding the Homeless, Reno, Nevada 2009• Summit Christian Church, Life Group Community Service 2009-2014• FoodBankofNorthernNevadaCanstruction 2002, 2003, 2007, 2009

2001 Tribute to 9/11. “AmeriCAN” Flag ExhibitFood Bank of Northern Nevada Canstruction Event

Service to the Profession and Community Achievements

- Ed Vance, FAIA, Principal Architect, EVA Associates

“Ihavepersonallywitnessedherextraordinaryserviceandwork...herperformancethroughoutishallmarkedbyendlessenthusiasmandboundlessenergy...sheistrulyaninspirationtoournextgenerationofprofessionalsandwithoutquestionherworkisofthehighestcaliber!”

2020 UNLV “Off the Clock” Speaker Series

1997 Architecture Week & Home Tour Chairperson

Achievements• 2019 - USAC International Headquarters, Reno, NV. Merit Award AIANevada• 2019 - USAC International Headquarters, Reno, NV. Honor Award AIANorthernNevada• 2019 - TMCC Pennington Applied Arts & Technology. Reno, NV. Citation Award AIANorthernNevada• 2019 - Sierra Nevada Job Corps Cafeteria. Reno, NV. Merit Award AIA Northern Nevada• 2019 - Grass Valley Elementary School, Grass Valley, Nevada. 25 year award CMACN• 2018 - Van Woert Bigotti Architects Design Firm of the Year SummitAwards, BANN• 2017 - TMCC Pennington Applied Arts & Technology. Reno, NV. Merit Award AIA Nevada• 2017 - Lemaire Gymnasium. Battle Mountain, NV. Merit Award AIANevada • 2017 - Eagle Valley Middle School. Carson City, NV. Honor Award. ConcreteMasonryAssoc.CaliforniaNevada• 2017 -Eliza Pierce Elementary School. Battle Mountain, NV Merit Award.ConcreteMasonryAssoc.CaliforniaNevada• 2012 - Greatful Gardens Cafe. Reno, NV Citation Award(Unbuilt),AIANevada• 2013 -EagleValleyMiddleSchool.CarsonCity,NV First Place Design,ABCExcellenceinDesign • 2011 - Van Woert Bigotti Architects. Firm of the Year,AIANevada• 2011 - Desert Research Institute - CRV Building, Reno. NV Citation Award, AIANevada• 2011 - Desert Research Institute - CRV Building, Reno, NV LEED Gold Certification.USGBC• 2010 - Kendyl Depoali Middle School - Prototype Washoe County School District Merit Award,AIANevada• 2009 - Desert Research Institute - CRV Building, Reno, NV Honor Award. BANN-ER/BuildersAssoc.NorthernNevada• 2009 - University of Nevada Reno Pennington Health Sciences Building. Reno, NV Honor Award. BANN-ER/BuildersAssoc.NorthernNevada• 2007 - California Trails Interpretive Center - (Unbuilt) Honor Award. AIA Northern Nevada• 2006 - Holy Cross Catholic Community. Sparks, NV Honor Award. AIANorthernNevada• 2006 - Scott Meek & Son Concrete Office Building. Sparks, NV (w/ JLS Design) Honor Award, AIANorthernNevada• 2006 - Truckee Meadows Community College, James Eardley Student Center. Reno, NV Honor Award, AIANorthernNevada• 2006-RiversideHotelHistoricalRenovationandRe-purpose.Reno,NV Citation Award,AIANorthernNevada• 2006-HayesResidence.Minden,NV(w/StudioA/D) Citation Award,AIANorthernNevada• 2003-RenoCItyPlaza10N.VirginiaStreet.DesignCompetion.RenoNV Competition Winning Entry,CItyofReno • 2000-AngelaS.Bigotti,AIA.ServiceAward Service to the Profession Award,AIANevada• 2000-SouthernWine&SpiritsDistributionCenter.LasVegas,Nevada Merit Award,NationalAssociationofIndustrial&OfficeProperties• 2000 -AngelaS.Bigotti,AIA.ServiceAward Young Architect Citation,AIANevada• 1991 -CulturalInterpretiveCenter,CityofPhoenix,ArizonaStateUniversityStudentProject Honor Design Award, AIACentralArizonaChapter

Collaboration

Much of Angela’s inspiration and contribution to the creative process explores the dialogue about people’s experience of space; analyzing how they feel and how their expectations either foster a satisfaction of the known, or when prodded by innovation, could crave something new.

Van Woert Bigotti is her second family. Her partnership with Brad is one of kinship as well as passion for creating architecture with an amazing team. Their staff embodies legacy; the energy of the youth, the knowledge of the experienced, and the wisdom of the seasoned.

The entire team is a collective talent that contributes heart and soul to each project.

- Erik Fong, Principal Architect MBA Architecture, Reno

“Angelahascreatedanamazingbodyofworkwithherteam…thereisanattentiontodetailandartistryinherdesignsthat takes a high level of commitment and integrity….settingthebar high for our design community,shecontinuestochallengeustoexploreandpushourindustryforward.”

Design & Service Awards

2011 Angela and Brad receiving AIA Firm of the year

2020 Van Woert Bigotti team

2019 AIA Nevada Award Night. USAC - Merit Award

Supplemental

- April 8, 2020. “Metal Facades Integrate with Desert Landscape”. Sky Ranch Middle School. https://www.aepspan.com/metal-facades-integrate-with-desert-landscape/

- April 2020. Steelscape Inspiration. Project Spotlight: Sky Ranch Middle School, Reno, Nevada. https://www.steelscape.com/wp-content/uploads/Project-Spotlight_14.pdf

- August 20, 2020. Tradeline Inc.. University of Nevada Reno Renovates Leifson Physics and Chemistry Buildings.

- April 8, 2020. School Construction News. Leifson Physics and Chemistry Buildings Renovation. http://schoolconstructionnews.com/2020/04/08/construction-remains-underway-on-un-reno-science-buildings/

- Febraury 25, 2020. UNR Student Housing Goes Green. City of Reno. https://aroundthearch.com/blog/2020/02/25/unr-student-housing-goes-green/

- January 17, 2019. Sustainability: LEEDing THE WAY IN RENO SERIES. Sierra Nevada Job Corp Center Cafeteria. https://aroundthearch.com/blog/2019/01/17/leeding-the-way-in-reno-series-sierra-nevada-job-corp-center-cafeteria/

- July 2019. CMACN Profiles in Architecture. Smart Design Begins with Concrete Masonry; Grass Valley Elementary School. http://cmacn.org/PDF/CMU_Profiles_July_2019.pdf

- January 2, 2019. Metal Architecture. Lander County Recreation Center, Battle Mountain, Nevada. https://www.metalarchitecture.com/projects/lander-county-recreation-center-battle-mountain-nev

- December 2019. . University Studies Abroad Consortium New Headquarters Review Northern Nevada Architecture ’19

- April 17, 2018. Nevada Appeal. Feds pay back state for Northern Nevada Veterans Home. https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/local/feds-pay-back-state-for-northern-nevada-veterans-home/

- May 2018. AIA Spokane Design Awards Highlights. Juror Review, Angela Bigotti-Chavez, AIA. http://www.aiaspokane.org/2018-awards-program.html

- October 23, 2017. ENR’s Southwest’s 2017 Best Projects. Government/Public Building Merit:WC Medical Examiners Office. http://www.enr.com/articles/43213-governmentpublic-building-merit-wshoe-county-medical-examiners-of-office

- November 20, 2018. The Industry’s Voice. Insulated Metal Panels Lend New Rec Center Weather & Fire Performance. http://roofingmagazine.com/tag/vanwoert-bigotti-architects/

- December 28, 2018. Reno Gazette Journal. New Middle School to provide a “fresh start” to Sun Valley students. http://www/rgj.com/story/news/2018/12/28/new-sun-valley-middle-school-givve-students-fresh-start/2437098002/

- June 26, 2005 Northern Nevada Business Weekly. “Result is a dynamic downtown design”. 10 N. Virginia Street Plaza https://www.nnbw.com/news/after-all-the-changes-result-is-a-dynamic-downtown-design/

Articles/Publications

California Interpretive Trail Visitors Center, Elko, Nevada2007 AIANN Honors Award

2007 Honor Award. Reno Magazine

2007 Honor Award. Reno Magazine Designers: Angela Bigotti, AIA & Joel Sherman (JLS)

Supplemental- Fall 2003;. Jorst Residence “Big time Danish Design”. Reno Magazine

- Fall 2003; Design & Build with Metal.com “Eagle Valley Middle School Improvements” https://designandbuildwithmetal.com/featured-projects/eagle-valley-middle-school-improvements

- November 16, 2017; Reno Gazette Journal. “UNR promises more on-campus housing for students.” https://www.rgj.com/story/news/education/2017/11/16/unr-promises-more-campus-housing-students-500-more- beds-coming-soon

- June 2017. CMU Profiles in Architecture. Eagle Valley Middle School Expansion Review: Education Design; Honor http://www.cmacn.org/PDF/CMU_Profiles_July_2017.pdf

- June 2017. CMU Profiles in Architecture. Eliza Pierce Elementary School Review: Education Design, Merit Award. http://www.cmacn.org/PDF/CMU_Profiles_July_2017.pdf

- April 17, 2016. Northern Nevada Business Weekly. Life Church Children’s Ministry: Breaking Ground...New Church. https://www.nnbw.com/news/breaking-barren-ground-for-new-church/

- April 11, 2016. Nevada Silver & Blue Magazine. Campus Changes: Saying “so long” to White Pine. https://issuu.com/nevadasilverblue/docs/nsb_spring_2016_issuu

- October 2016. CMACN Profiles in Architecture. Regional Project Highlight: Eagle Valley Middle School Expansion http://cmacn.org/PDF/CMU_Profiles_October_2016.pdf

- August 26, 2015. News4Nevada. Inside Northern Nevada. New Recreation Center to be built. https://insidenorthernnevada.com/PrintArticle.aspx?aid=24128&uid=aa83b774-f57e-4609-9a77-e5d1480040df

- August, 2015. TMCC LibGuides. Archives & College History: Pennington Health Science Center. https://libguides.tmcc.edu/archives/healthsciencecente

- October 12, 2011. The Nevada Appeal. Design decided at Eagle Valley Middle School. https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/local/design-decided-at-eagle-valley-middle-school/

- August 2010. Design and Build with Metal; Featured Project: Kendyl Depoali Middle School. EDIT

Articles/Publications

2016 Sticks Retail -Midtown Reno. Redevelopment

2003 Reno City Plaza Design Competition - Winning Entry

City of Reno ArticleGreat Basin Hall receives LEED Gold

2020

2012 Eagle Valley Middle School Addition

Designing for Nevada’s Campuses, Cities, and Rural Communities

University Nevada Reno

Battle Mountain

Carson City

TMCC Redfield

Fallon

Sparks

Stead

Residence Life UNRMinden

Winnemucca

Supplemental

“Wetrulybelievethat no other architect could have envisioned so much to incorporate our profession (talents) more effectivelyasAngelasuccessfullyaccomplished!”

- Donna Mae Meek, Scott Meek & Son Concrete Company

“Angela and her team have created a building that virtually excites students to be here…the space, flow, and light in the building brings such positive energy --- students love learning here!” - Gina Leonhard, Principal Sky Ranch Middle School, Sparks, Nevada

ArchitecturalWork

Washoe County School District Middle School . Prototype

MERITAWARD AIA Nevada

Sky Ranch Middle School . 2019

ArchitecturalWork

Prototype Brief:For this prototype middle school, (built 4 times over 10 years) the Washoe County School District desired a building that would provide a new style and functionality; to address their goals for providing a better learning environment and exceed the standards for school design. The challenge: create signature aesthetics, high performance functionality, and future site adaptability within extremely tight budget constraints.

Sky Ranch . 2019

Marce Herz 2020

Washoe County School District Middle School . Prototype

ArchitecturalWork

Kendyl Depoali . 2010

Desert Skies . 2019

Washoe County School District Middle School . Prototype

The entire design was approached with the focus on maximizing impact of expenditure in order to provide the necessary program requirements. The design has proven to increase school pride and community respect for the tax dollars invested. Cost efficient design resulted in a construction cost equalling 25% less than the budget with no cut in program space.

As part of the high performance school criteria the design incorporates sustainability strategies such as a Ground Source Heat system which gave the District energy efficiencies that saved at least 60% on utility costs compared to the previous prototype design.

“This is exactly the kind of iconic architecture we were looking for, it gives USAC the kind of presence we wanted....open, forward-thinking and a signature of excellence we aim to provide all of our students...” - Carmelo Urza, Chairman

ArchitecturalWork

USAC International Headquarters . Reno, Nevada

MERITAWARD AIA Nevada

HONORAWARD AIA Northern Nevada

Architectural Work: USAC

ArchitecturalWork

USAC International Headquarters . Reno, Nevada

USACrequestedamodernfacilitythatisengagingandattractive-onethatwouldattractstudentsandrepresenttheConsortium’sforward-thinkingmissiontoexpandhorizons,inspireminds, and accomplish more thanimagined.

The design responds to thesitewithawelcomingatmosphere that helps people feel safe moving throughacourtyardthatbiforcatesthepropertyand makes for dual access from both street fronts and easyaccesstoUNRacrossVirginiaStreet.

ArchitecturalWork

USAC International Headquarters . Reno, Nevada

TheUSAClogoisrepeatedasthepatternforthedyecut steel shade trellis

- Peter Ross Assistant VP for Campus Planning & Physical Plant, Desert Research Intitute

ArchitecturalWork

Desert Research Institute . Computational Research and Visualization Building

CITATION AWARD AIA Nevada

LEED GOLD CERTIFICATIONUSGBC

HONOR AWARDBuilders Association Northern Nevada

“There is great merit in sticking to the original idea and seeing it through to the end. We asked to have a building that evoked respect, dignity and sustainability...without a doubt, Angela’s approach to the vision and Danielle’s perserverance hit the target....”

AIA Nevada Silver Medal . Angela Bigotti-Chavez, AIA

Desert Research Institute . Computational Research and Visualization Building

ArchitecturalWork

ArchitecturalWork

Architectural Work: Desert Research Institute. sketches narrative and photos

Desert Research Institute . Computational Research and Visualization Building

Letter of Support

24 August 2020

Mrs. Randy Lavigne, Hon. AIA Executive Director AIA Nevada 1131 S. Casino Center Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89104

Re: Angela Bigotti-Chavez, AIA AIA Silver Medal Nominee Letter of Support

Dear Randy,

It is my distinct pleasure to write this letter of support for Angela Bigotti-Chavez’s nomination for the AIA Silver Medal Distinguished Award. As AIA Nevada’s highest honor, Angela represents the individual character, creativity and commitment to architecture and the built environment that this award embodies. Traits that come to mind when I reflect on our experience with Angela include creative, visionary, “outside the box” thinker, tenacious, empathetic, immensely talented, enthusiastic, and many others. Throughout her career, Angela has earned the respect of her colleagues, clients, and contractors she serves through building relationships based on mutual respect, accountability, and trust.

As President of CORE Construction (CORE), I have had the privilege of working with Angela for nearly the past decade. During this time, CORE and Van Woert Bigotti Architects (VWB) have successfully partnered together on 10 individual projects valued at over $250M. These projects include a diverse selection of product types including six K-12 projects, two higher education projects (one of which was LEED Gold Certified), and two municipal projects. Through each of these projects, Angela displayed tremendous leadership by effectively incorporating the vision and program requirements of the client into a uniquely creative and functional design of which she was an integral part of bringing to life during the construction process.

One of the most commendable elements of Angela’s project approach is her commitment to listening to and working to understand the needs and wants of her clients. She is successfully able to execute Louis H. Sullivan’s phase, “form follows function” while simultaneously developing some of the most unique and artistic buildings in our community. Angela’s creativity and vision are contagious, extending to her fellow colleagues at VWB.

In short, Angela is a tremendous architect, leader, and individual. Her commitment to her craft over nearly 30 years has been impactful in not only changing the landscape of our community, but also in raising the bar for how architecture and construction are delivered. Angela Bigotti-Chavez nomination for this award is richly deserved, and I am proud to recommend her for the AIA Nevada Silver Medal.

Sincerely,

Seth Maurer President CORE Construction

Letter of Support

Letter of Support

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18 September 2020 Ms. Randy Lavigne, Hon. AIA Executive Director AIA Nevada 1131 S. Casino Center Boulevard Las Vegas, NV 89104 Re: Letter of Support Angela Bigotti-Chavez, AIA

AIA Silver Medal 2020 Award Dear Randy and Award Submittal Review Committee, Angela joined us in 1992. Full of vim and vinegar, she arrived like all interns - determined to change the world, one architecture project at a time. It doesn’t take too long to bring a new hire back down to earth, usually after they have spent a few hours pouring over the International Building Code or trying to digest the contents of the Americans with Disabilities Act. But Angela was different. Her zest and zeal for architecture quickly became infectious, and if I might say, somewhat intimidating. She and I have been together for nearly 30 years, and I have not only gained a partner, but I have also been given a true collaborator, confidante, and best friend. Her design process is a marvel to watch. She starts with these tiny little site sketches at the smallest of scale, putting the project in the environmental and natural context of the high desert, and with the respect she has for the wonderful expansiveness of the Intermountain West. As a native Nevadan, growing up in this landscape, she holds herself responsible for responding to this unique place we live in. Her buildings then start to grow, seemingly out of the ground, each drawing more detailed and experiential, each drawing a reflection of her growing up in a family of contractors, cabinet makers, and “do-it-yourselfers”. This process is also highly interactive. It is special to watch how she involves everyone in the office, from project manager, to project architect, to drafter… from structural engineer to mechanical engineer to landscape architect. She has completely transformed the way Van Woert Bigotti creates buildings and we are practicing architecture at the highest level, with an energy and gusto that is truly fun to be a part of. Whether it be a small addition to a church, or a major medical education building at the University, that same level of commitment and discourse is applied to all; and the results speak for themselves. And, I cannot button this thing up without talking about how she has done all this swimming upstream against a heavy current in a male dominated profession. She has done it with grace and integrity, and with the highest level of professionalism. The number of “firsts” in her career are truly remarkable –

- First woman to receive the AIA Nevada Young Architect Citation - First woman to become a partner in a major Nevada architectural firm. - First woman to receive the AIA Nevada Service Award. - First woman partner to receive the AIA Nevada Firm Award - First woman president of AIA Northern Nevada - First woman president of AIA Nevada

There are many more Firsts for her I am sure, and to award this to Angela just because she is a woman would be a disservice to both Angela and the Award. She deserves this award for the architect she is and for the pioneer she has been as a professional. Without a doubt, she is the most deserving of all for the 2020 Silver Medal. Period. Very truly yours, K. Brad Van Woert, III, AIA