Oklahoma City — The lights went out at Will Rogers Theatre on Friday but that didn’t stop the American Institute of Architects, Central Oklahoma Chapter from holding their 2017 AIA Honor Awards Program. AIA holds their awards ceremony to recognize and thank those who work to improve the built environment and the profession of architecture. Storms knocked out power but AIA used cell phones and candles to light the room and honor these very deserving individuals, companies and organizations.

The William Wayne Caudill Award is meant to recognize and honor an individual AIA Central Oklahoma member who has displayed a long-standing commitment to the betterment of the profession and the well-being of architects. Fred Schmidt, FAIA of FSB was presented with this year’s William Wayne Caudill Award.

Within his community, Fred Schmidt recognized that architecture could be a unique tool in teaching citizenry a creative approach to everyday problem-solving while learning about the benefits of a quality architectural environment. He has challenged civic, community, and professional organizations to become aware and involved in the quality of architecture in their respective communities.

Fred’s design philosophy is: “I believe architecture, and therefore every architect, has a responsibility to its communities and to a shrinking environment of the world community. Architecture touches the life of world citizens on a daily basis; they are born it, live in it, learn in it, work in it, and recreate in it. The quality of architecture directly affects the quality of our lives and our communities. As architects, we are stewards of the built environment and must be diligent in creating public awareness of the positive virtues of a quality built environment and of the value of the architect’s role and contribution to that environment.”

Fred has given countless hours over the course of his career to promoting the value of architects and the role they play in building better communities. This along with Fred’s love of the profession of architecture and his commitment to AIA is why the selection committee felt he was so deserving of this honor.