Clinton Sheerr Award for Excellence in New Hampshire Architecture

About the Clinton Sheerr Award
2012 Winner: James Somes FAIA
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Call for Entries
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About the Clinton Sheerr Award
This Award honors and promotes New Hampshire architects and architecture that exemplify excellence in design at the highest level.

Clinton Sheerr AIA, was a well-known New Hampshire architect who died in 1997, and whose uncommon love for the profession and the state is memorialized through this honor award. Sheerr was responsible for designing numerous award-winning New Hampshire buildings, notably the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and St. Paul's Church, and was active in professional and community organizations.

Deirdre Sheerr-Gross AIA created the fund for the award in honor of Clint, and it is supported by donations in his memory. The funds are held by the NH Charitable Foundation.

Sheerr exemplified the spirit of great passion for beauty and design, a dedication to the community, and the tenacity to follow one's tasks and dreams. This award honors other similarly outstanding architects in the state who carry on the tradition of deep love and dedication for the State, its architecture and environment.

The 2012 winner of the Clinton Sheerr Award for Excellence in New Hampshire Architecture is James Somes FAIA.

Jim Somes FAIA is a well-known architect in New Hampshire, New England, and national architectural circles, having practiced in the state for over 25 years. In 1980 he founded his own firm, JSA Inc., in Portsmouth and grew it to be of the largest in the state, then expanded it to other branches along the east coast. During that time he designed more than 20 award-winning projects, recruited and mentored a host of talented young professionals, and provided vision and leadership to the design and construction industry. Among his designs are Pinewood Manor, Old Orchard Beach, ME (1981); Hewitt Hall Renovation, UNH (1995); and Exeter Hospital (2000).

Somes was president of AIANH in 1989-90, and a long term Board member. He was also one of the founders of Plan NH, an organization that thrives today as a proud offspring of AIANH serving the state’s communities. He served as a board member of Strawbery Banke, was a Boston Architectural College instructor, Portland School of Art Curriculum Advisor, and a Board Member of the Portsmouth Music Hall, among many other volunteer activities.

AIA conferred Fellowship status on Jim in 1995.

This list of achievements is just a sample of Jim’s service to his profession and his community. But nowhere on this list do you get the full dimension of his most appreciated contributions to the profession and practice of architecture here in New Hampshire. Jim saw the profession of architecture as a way to bring generosity and collaboration into the competitive business of architecture. Success was the common denominator in all of Jim’s efforts, but not for himself. He treated his clients as partners in successful projects. He treated his peers as friends even though they were competing for the same job. If you were a young person interested in architecture he found you a job, usually in his own office. He mentored his employees and encouraged them to start their own businesses. Many architects in New Hampshire owe their success to their interaction with Jim. He gave also gave huge amounts of time and energy to community efforts and knew the true meaning of pro bono work.

Somes set the bar high for everyone in the profession and then helped us all to succeed.

Call for Entries

The Award will be given to an individual primarily domiciled for the past five years in New Hampshire.
The award will consist of a cash prize of $1000 and an accompanying certificate and will be announced at the Annual AIANH Awards banquet.
Applicants should submit a one-page (maximum) nominating letter, and may append back-up materials. It is anticipated that the applicants and their work will be reasonably well-known already to the NH architectural community. Materials submitted may be used in the promotion of the award.
You may self-nominate or nominate another.
Send nomination letters to the AIANH office, PO Box 398, 310 Marlboro St., Keene, NH.
Deadline for submissions is December 1.

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