Arctic Directory 2026 - EXP prime designer for Pensacola airport terminal expansion. As reported by EXP news Nov. 19, EXP is playing a central role in the design of the $100 million terminal expansion project at Pensacola International Airport. EXP, the prime designer, in association with Luis Vidal + Architects and The Walsh Group, will bring world-class aviation design expertise to reshape the traveler experience from arrival to departure. PNS celebrated its groundbreaking on October 15, 2025, marking the start of construction of the multi-phase project. The new five-gate, modern and contemporary concourse will add over 50,000 square feet of additional space, with elevated dining options, upgraded and accessible restrooms, and comfortable seating. The design is shaped by the sun and inspired by the dunes. "Pensacola International Airport continues to grow as a key gateway to the Gulf Coast, and this expansion is critical to ensuring we provide the best possible experience for our travelers," PNS Executive Airport Director Matt Coughlin said. In alignment with the airport's master plan, the expansion will support continued growth and serve as a vital step toward meeting current and future traveler demands. EXP and the team are committed to integrating the rich history, culture, and unique identity of both Pensacola and Florida into the project. "We want to make sure the passenger experience through the airport, through the facilities, is an extension of the fun that people are having here," EXP's Vice President Marcos Souza said. "I truly believe that a measure of our team's success is providing something that is unique to Pensacola, one that blends not only the city's history and legacy but also its future outlook."

Winners of the 2026 Lerch Bates People's Choice Awards announced. As part of AIA Chicago's Designight, the Lerch Bates People's Choice Awards have become a staple of architectural excellence and cast a spotlight on a diverse array of projects that showcase the outstanding design and innovation of local architecture firms. The winners of the 2026 Lerch Bates People's Choice Awards, presented in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center, were announced as part of Designight 2026 on Oct. 1, and celebrate the best in architecture across ten categories. Winners of the 2026 Lerch Bates People's Choice Awards: Affordable Housing: United Yards - 1A The Lerch Bates People's Choice Award for Affordable Housing went to United Yards - 1A, a project serving as a catalyst for reinvestment in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. The award was accepted by the team from DesignBridge whose design is bringing affordable housing and community-focused commercial space to this mixed-use development. Community & Civic: Chicago Transit Authority Red Purple Modernization The Community & Civic award went to the team at EXP who created four new elevated stations and tracks to improve the rider experience across Chicago neighborhoods. The design utilizes terracotta facades to provide durability while also allowing each station to have a different, yet cohesive design. Cultural & Museum: James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests took home the Cultural & Museum award, where Goettsch Partners designed a three-acre campus expansion for the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. This design is bringing four outdoor habitats, five viewing shelters, new indoor dayrooms and a dedicated conservation center as the largest project in the zoo's history. Education & Research: Kalamazoo RESA Career Connect Center The Kalamazoo RESA Career Connect Center is a career and technical educational facility that will guide students as they explore career pathways. The team at DLR Group accepted the award for this project that features a hybrid steel and cross-laminated timber structural system to advance sustainability efforts. Healthcare: Threshholds | Center for Health and Mental Wellbeing The team at DesignBridge accepted the Healthcare category award for Thresholds | Center for Health and Mental Wellbeing in Chicago. This project expands an existing behavioral health facility to feature a 7,000 square-foot, three-story addition that will introduce art studios, classrooms, behavioral health offices and a training center to the project. Multi-Family Residential: The Dylan The Multifamily Residential winner, The Dylan, is a housing development in Chicago's Fulton Market district that is inspired by the character and materials of the surrounding neighborhood. The team at bKL Architecture that accepted this award created a project that celebrates the spirit of the adjacent buildings and brings residential, retail and parking to the area. Office: Sany IROOTECH Headquarters The Lerch Bates People's Choice Award for the Office category went to the Sany IROOTECH Headquarters, an office in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China with two interconnected towers that feature plazas, rooftop gardens, tree-lined terraces and more. The project, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), connects people to nature and provides an incredible space for Sany's cloud-technology venture. Hospitality and Retail: Atrium Club at 25 E Washington The Atrium Club at 25 E Washington took home the award in the Hospitality and Retail category, and was designed by the team at geniant Eastlake. This captivating project located in Chicago's Loop transformed an office space into social and restorative spaces that culminate into an open-air courtyard to provide an incredible workplace amenity. Single Family, New Construction: Evanston's First Passive House The Single Family, New Construction Category was awarded to Evanston's First Passive House in Evanston, IL which transformed an urban lot into a sustainable, residential design. The team at Kipnis Architecture + Planning accepted the award for this project that preserves the historic nature of the neighborhood and reduces its carbon footprint. Single Family, Adaptive Reuse: Vintage Lincoln Park Residence The final Lerch Bates People's Choice Award of the night went to Vintage Lincoln Park Residence, a project that occupies portions of the fifth and sixth floors of a 1920s high-rise in Chicago. SMNG A Ltd. accepted the award for their design that preserves the character of the historic facade while bringing contemporary elements to the interior. The AIA Chicago Lerch Bates People's Choice Awards highlight the incredible talent and creativity within the architectural community. Each project celebrated this year demonstrates how thoughtful design can enhance communities, foster cultural growth, and redefine living and working environments. Congratulations to all the winners for their exceptional contributions to the field of architecture!

EXP selected to assess and analyze residential properties in Miami-Dade County for resiliency, energy efficiency and future renovations. September 8, 2026 Miami-Dade County has contracted EXP to evaluate 33 multi-family properties, totaling approximately 1,741 housing units. As the prime consultant, EXP will deliver a complete resilience assessment, energy assessment and Integrated Physical Needs Assessment (IPNA), in addition to as-needed architecture and engineering services. These historic properties are classified as affordable housing and support lower-income communities in the Miami area. The structures range from 20-50 years old and may require certain repairs or replacements to address aging building systems and ensure resident safety and comfort. Over the course of 18 months, its experts will conduct the assessments through innovative technologies such as Matterport 3D and LiDAR. EXP will also develop a digital dashboard and toolkit to help Miami-Dade efficiently track property conditions, assessment findings, risks and recommended improvements across the housing portfolio. This platform will support data-driven decision making, prioritize rehabilitation needs and inform short- and long-term capital planning strategies. "These assessments support the health and well-being of the community," Miami-Dade County Housing and Community Development (HCD) Resiliency Program Manager Ryan Radmehr, ENV SP said. "It's essential to establish a standardized process for evaluating structural integrity, making the recommended improvements and maintaining quality living conditions." "At EXP, we utilize assessment strategies that identify opportunities to reduce maintenance and operational expenses through energy efficient infrastructure," Project Manager and Director, Living and Learning Division Haleh Moghaddasi, Ph.D., Assoc. AIA, LEED GA, ENV SP said. "Exp Global Inc. is proud to contribute to resiliency projects that further its partnership with the Miami Dade-County HCD board and community. The assessment process is expected to start later in 2026.