Architect of the Year: Robert A. Siebenaller, AIA
The Toledo Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is pleased to announce that Robert A. Siebenaller, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, has been named the 2025 Architect of the Year in recognition of his commitment to the profession.
Bob, marks 41 years of distinguished architectural practice, driven by a lifelong passion for exploring the intersection of humanity and the built environment. For Bob, architecture is more than a profession—it is a lens through which he explores the deep connections that bind people to spaces.
Bob’s journey began at Miami University, where he earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design and later a Master of Architecture. During his studies, he published “To Whom Must the Architect Answer?” in the national journal CRIT and joined Frank O. Gehry’s student design team for an urban project in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A transformative architectural tour from Scotland to Italy deeply influenced his graduate thesis, “The Poetics of Space,” laying a foundation of faith and reason in his approach.
After graduation, Bob embraced the monastic value of stability and anchored his career in Toledo. His professional trajectory spans a small firm general practice, a multinational firm specializing in healthcare and learning, and facilities planning for an urban/metropolitan university. His leadership roles have included Designer, Project Architect, Senior Project Manager, Operations Manager, Senior Architect, Business Leader-Principal, and Master Architect. He currently is the Architectural Wellness Coordinator at PMBA Architects, a firm specializing in “Designing Wellness” for healthcare, corporate, and commercial environments.
His commitment to education and thought leadership is evident in more than 10 published articles and over 50 presentations to local, state, regional, and international organizations on healing, learning and sustainable environments. Bob has shared his professional experiences with students at the University of Toledo as adjunct faculty and at Bowling Green State University, where he has been an adjunct faculty, guest lecturer in architecture and interior design, and a volunteer for a master’s studio. Since 2009, he has served on their Architectural Advisory Board, helping guide the transition to an NCARB-accredited program.
Robert A. Siebenaller, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
Architectural Wellness Coordinator at PMBA Architects
A dedicated member of the American Institute of Architects, Bob has led initiatives for AIA Toledo, including chairing the High School Design Competition and creating the Intern Development Coordinator role. He served as AIA Toledo President (2000) and two terms as AIA Ohio Director (2019-2022), serving on the AIA Ohio Board. He currently serves on the Board of the AIA Ohio Foundation, to support students in accredited architectural programs.
In the past year, Bob’s community service included board positions on the Downtown Toledo Improvement District and Partners in Education, and service on the Notre Dame Academy Buildings and Grounds Committee. As a former president of the Pastoral Council at Gesu Parish, Bob has a new role as champion of Faith and Formation, continuing his commitment to community and spiritual development. Since 2010, Bob has been a Benedictine Oblate of the venerable monastery of St. Meinrad Archabbey.
Roert A. Siebenaller, AIA, will be honored as AIA Toledo Architect of the Year at AIA Toledo’s Annual Meeting & Honor Awards Celebration on December 11, 2025.