Gilbert Architects is celebrating a big moment on the national stage.
At the 2025 Zweig Group ElevateAEC Conference, our team brought home two first-place Marketing Excellence Awards. We were also recognized as a finalist for the AEC Innovator Award.
These honors spotlight not just the work itself but what drives us every day: using creativity and innovation to serve schools and communities better.
Celebrating our campaigns
The first-place Brand Identity award recognized our “Deep Roots, Fresh Growth” campaign, which launched in spring 2025. Building on our 2023 integration with Garmann Miller, the rebrand was about more than a new look. It signaled growth and momentum for the future. The result? A bold new identity that honors our past and sets us up for the years ahead.
Our drone video program was recognized in the Drone Video category with a first-place award for reshaping how we and our clients see projects come to life. What started as a way to capture footage turned into a tool that gives school districts dynamic monthly updates for board presentations and community engagement. It’s now a cornerstone of our digital storytelling, bringing energy and clarity to every stage of construction.
Innovation in action
We were also honored as a finalist in the AEC Innovator Award for our design leadership on Cherokee Lane Elementary School in Adelphi, Md. This project redefined what’s possible for school construction.
By combining permanent off-site construction with on-site construction, this hybrid approach cut the project timeline nearly in half and minimized disruption for neighboring schools. The finished building isn’t just a state-of-the-art learning environment for its 846 students. It’s a bold model for districts statewide.
Why it matters
These awards aren’t only about marketing campaigns or a single project. They reflect how we approach our work as a firm.
- Innovation that serves people: Whether it’s giving a school board a clear picture of progress or designing a campus that opens faster with less disruption, every tool and idea is about making life better for students, staff, and communities.
- Trust through transparency: Drone updates, clear branding, and collaborative processes all strengthen the relationships we build with clients.
- Design that lasts: Off-site construction proves we can deliver quality and speed without compromise, setting a precedent for future schools across the region.
Looking ahead
For nearly four decades, Gilbert Architects has specialized in educational design, delivering environments that inspire learning and strengthen communities. Today, as part of Garmann Miller, we’re continuing that legacy with fresh ideas, proven expertise, and a focus on building smarter, faster, and better for the next generation.