Robert Holzbach elevated to AIA Fellow

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) just announced a new class of AIA Fellows. We are proud to share that Robert L. Holzbach, FAIA, Principal and Director of Commercial Office, has been invited to join that elite group. Fellowship is one of the highest honors bestowed by the AIA upon its members, recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their profession, community, and society at large. Just 3% of AIA members have been recognized with Fellowship.

Rob has spent nearly 20 years with Hickok Cole. He is dedicated to his craft of design and strives to foster a more diverse and just space within the industry. In his 29 years of practice, he has transformed the future of the architectural industry by shaping next-generation talent while diving into and empowering design excellence.

Mark Ramirez, Principal and Managing Director, speaks to just a portion of Rob’s impact at Hickok Cole. “I was the direct beneficiary of the streamlined and optimized staffing process that Rob created. His changes brought us together as a firm, disrupted potential balkanization, and fundamentally transformed the firm.”

Achievements such as increasing the representation of women in Hickok Cole leadership from 8% to 51% during his 15 years as Director of Staff Operations, leading the creation of the RISE Internship program, introducing the JUST 2.0 program to the firm, and co-founding our DEIA council are clear indicators of Rob’s dedication to impact and better the industry.

He also shares his knowledge and skills with the broader commercial real estate community.  He served as President of the AIA|DC in 2020 and spent 7 years on the Board of Directors.  He currently sits on the NAIOP Northern Virginia Board of Directors and Chairs of the Education Committee.

Rob fosters a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture, actively sharing his knowledge across the profession, and embodying the ‘ripple effect’ that AIA Fellows set out to achieve.