Join AG Architecture in celebrating award-winning news—Andrew Alden is a 2026 Newsmakers honoree—Team Leader of the Year. The Daily Reporter’s Annual Newsmakers awards program “honors individuals and companies that have made headlines throughout the year and have excelled in their field.”
Team Leader of the Year
For over 28 years, Alden has been a deeply committed and highly respected architectural professional, and 2026 marks a year of notable leadership achievements worthy of the Newsmakers recognition. First and foremost, Alden demonstrated his architectural aptitude, knowledge, and experience by completing the professional licensing process. Recognizing his commitment to professionalism and the future of AG, the employee-owned architectural firm promoted Alden to Senior Design Architect and member of the AG Leadership Team.
“The Newsmakers recognition is a great honor,” says Alden. “I am most proud of the team I am fortunate to lead. I work with awesome individuals and cherish the opportunity to play a role in their professional development. I hope I can continue to spark their curiosity, nurture their leadership skills, and support their career goals.”
Connecting Research & Practice
For the majority of his career, Alden has focused on the design of living environments, especially senior living communities, where thoughtful design can make a difference by impacting how people live, work, heal, and connect.
His passion for resident-centered design is evident in his belief in connecting research and practice. That has led him to teach, conduct post-occupancy evaluations, publish, and present at conferences, while also staying active in organizations dedicated to aging and the built environment, including the Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments (SAGE).
He has been a member and advocate of SAGE since 1999, serving two terms as president, as well as secretary and treasurer. He completed two additional terms as Treasurer, concluding in January of 2025, and currently serves as Chairperson of The David A. Green Memorial Award. The awards program supports the future of senior living design by providing an Environments for Aging Conference experience to a first-time attendee.
His commitment to education and professional development is further exemplified by his roles as a Session Reviewer for the Annual Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) Conference and for the Annual Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Conference, both since 2020.
Alden believes architects have a responsibility to keep learning, to understand the full human context of their work, and to steward the built environment with care.
Leading by Example
Empathy, listening, and respect guide Alden’s leadership style. These qualities make him a well-regarded leader inside and outside of AG.
Equally important, Alden is helping shape the future of the profession. According to Alden, “I believe that mentoring the next generation of designers is essential to the future of senior living design. The communities we will build tomorrow are being shaped by the students and emerging professionals in architecture school and early practice today. I try to stay connected by mentoring emerging professionals, serving as a studio critic, and sharing lessons learned from practice and post-occupancy evaluations. To me, meaningful progress happens when fresh curiosity is paired with real-world operational insight. I value helping bridge that gap in ways that support both better designers and better environments for older adults.”
Congratulations, Andrew!
Andrew’s career success is marked by his consistent dedication to creating places that honor older adults and support the people around them. He is a leader who guides team members and clients with compassion, curiosity, and a commitment to service. The AG Team values his leadership and celebrates his Team Leader of the Year recognition.
Learn more about Andrew Alden and the AG Design Team.
The Alden family enjoying the Newsmakers celebration.