Michael Holliday FAIA Receives Top Honor from American Institute of Architects

More than 20,000 architects from around the world attended the annual convention with a standing room only ceremony for the Investiture of Fellows at the Washington National Cathedral.

It was the first time in more than 20 years that a Santa Barbara-based AIA member was elected to the College of Fellows, which is an honor given to less that 3 percent of architects nationwide.

“Had it not been for the fantastic clients and the talented team of design professionals working along side me, I would not have received this award,” Holliday said. “The credit for this recognition deservedly goes to them.”

Fellowship in the AIA recognizes architects who have made significant contributions to the profession of architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. The AIA was founded in 1857 and represents more than 80,000 professionals worldwide.

A South Coast celebration and reception for the AIA and community members will be announced in the coming weeks.

Holliday has been a leader on the South Coast for more than two decades. Last year, he served as the chairman for the Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce. His clients include an array of public and private institutions, including the city and county of Santa Barbara, UCSB, Westmont, SBCC, as well as a number of private corporations and high-tech start-up companies.

Most recently, Holliday founded Synergy Business & Technology Center, which opened in April to provide working space for start-up businesses and firms who want to accelerate their success. “It represents the groundswell of the resurgence of entrepreneurism,” Holliday said.

Holliday is a past president of the AIA Santa Barbara Chapter and has served as the government relations chairman for the group. He has helped the organization lead various planning, energy conservation and “green” environmental initiatives to benefit the community.

He serves on the boards of the UCSB Economic Forecast, the Santa Barbara Region Chamber Commerce, the Central Coast MIT Enterprise Forum, Kids Helping Kids, and is chairman of the South Coast Business Forum.