Farooq Karim wins AIA Caudill Award
Farooq Karim, AIA, RID, LEED AP, received the 2021 William Wayne Caudill Award from the AIA Central Oklahoma chapter. This distinction honors an AIA member who displays a long-standing commitment and dedication to the betterment of the profession and the well-being of architects in the region. This award is the top honor given to an individual by AIA Central Oklahoma.
Leading by Example
In selecting Farooq, the award committee commended his leadership in his community and profession.
Farooq is an active member in more than 30 non-profit organizations in Oklahoma. He has held leadership positions in more than half of those same organizations.
Whether sitting on boards of non-profit capital campaigns, advising Oklahoma architecture students or creating fundraising events for centers helping mothers get back on their feet, Farooq is committed to giving back to his community.
Finding Purpose Through Design
The committee also noted Farooq’s expertise helping clients work through the design process and personal commitment to his projects.
For the Girl Scouts’ STEM-centered Camp Trivera in Oklahoma City, Farooq led the design team in gathering input from girls in the program. You can see the impact of the Girl Scouts everywhere you look from bunk rooms (the girls imagined the theme for each room) to even the restrooms. They shared their dreams of doing great things and making a difference in their communities. Farooq continues to volunteer his time to the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma. He has also auctioned his personal artwork to raise money for the organization.
ReMerge is a non-profit, comprehensive diversion program for women that offers tools to pregnant women and mothers facing incarceration for non-violent crimes to transform their lives. During the Journey Home project, REES worked with ReMerge staff, board members and moms to plan, design and construct a transformational facility. During project development, Farooq had the opportunity to assist with ReMerge’s capital campaign by making presentations to potential major donors and helped raise a considerable amount of money to fund the project. Farooq and his wife donated to the capital campaign and continue to support ReMerge by volunteering time to curate art for the building.
Congratulations to Farooq on this well-deserved recognition for his efforts at REES and in our community.
