Neumann Monson Principal Lyndley Kent Receives 2026 AIA Young Architect Award
We are proud to announce Lyndley Kent, Principal Architect at Neumann Monson, has been selected by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for the 2026 AIA Young Architect Award. This national award is emblematic of the exceptional leadership Lyndley has shown at our firm and the outsized impact she has demonstrated within the architecture industry while early in her career.
Upon graduation from Iowa State University in 2012, Lyndley started as an Intern Architect with Neumann Monson and quickly became a formative contributor to firmwide grassroots employee experience and sustainability initiatives during her first years at the firm. In 2018, she received her architecture licensure in the State of Iowa. She was promoted to Associate in 2019, Associate Principal in 2022, and finally to Principal in 2024. She received the AIA Iowa Young Architect Award in 2021.
Lyndley has displayed steadfast leadership at the firm, organizing several initiatives that were instrumental in bringing our practice’s sustainability standards to new heights. These included leading the first effort to receive a Just Label from Living Future—a process that required significant documentation and interrogation of nearly every aspect of the firm’s business practices—as well as contributing to seven consecutive years of project performance reporting to keep the firm on track for its AIA 2030 Commitment. Her projects have received several national recognitions for their excellence in design and sustainability, including a 2025 COTE Top Ten Award for The Stanley Center, a 2021 COTE Top Ten Award for Market One, and a Religious Art in Architecture Design Award for St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church.
“It’s a true honor to be recognized by the AIA,” says Lyndley. “My work is deeply informed by the people and communities I’ve learned from, and this recognition reinforces my commitment to design that is thoughtful, responsive, and impactful.”
Outside the firm, Lyndley has lent her talents to several architecture industry organizations, working with the AIA Committee on the Environment leadership group to develop standardized toolsets for benchmarks in sustainability and design excellence at the national level. Within her local AIA Chapter, she has served on the Convention Planning Committee, the Awards Committee, the AIA Iowa Board, and is currently serving as the Second Vice President. She is also a guest critic for architecture studios at Iowa State University, and guest lectured at Northeastern University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Iowa State University.
“Lyndley Kent represents the very best of the next generation of architects,” says Tim Schroeder, President at Neumann Monson. “She leads with integrity, mentors with generosity, and builds systems that will outlast her. Her influence is visible in every hire, every review process, and every project kickoff.”
We believe any emerging talent in the architecture profession can learn from Lyndley’s commitment to quality and care not only in her designs, but in her collaboration with clients, her coworkers, and her community. Congratulations to Lyndley on this well-deserved recognition. We cannot overstate the value of the contributions and expertise she generously grants to our firm and the greater industry.