On September 18 at Designight 2025, held at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park, AIA Chicago honored architects and projects that showcase visionary design and community impact. Among the honorees, Journeyman Distillery Valparaiso was named a Lerch Bates People’s Choice Award Winner in the Hospitality & Retail category. Other awards included the Design Excellence, Unbuilt, Decarbonization, and Roberta Feldman Architect for Social Justice Awards. Executive Director Jen Masengarb noted that this year’s winners highlight how architecture can transform cities and create spaces with purpose, detail, and a strong sense of community.
