APLA Alumna Named to Auburn’s List of “20 Under 40”

Amanda Loper, AIA, LEED AP, has been named to the Auburn Alumni Association’s inaugural “20 Under 40.” This list of young alumni recognizes those individuals who have significant professional accomplishments in their fields or industries and have made contributions to the Auburn campus community. Loper, an alumna of the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (APLA), is a frequent visitor to her alma mater, returning as a guest speaker, critic and jury member.

Loper, a Principal at David Baker Architects, is a recent recipient of the 2021 AIA Young Architects award, a national award given to individuals who have demonstrated great leadership in the field of architecture. She established and leads DBA_BHM, the southeastern office of David Baker Architects, located in Birmingham. She graduated from Auburn in 2005 with Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Interior Architecture degrees. Loper’s area of expertise lies in affordable housing and market-rate housing as well as commercial buildings and policy studies. In her work as a writer and a sought-after speaker, she focuses on housing and density in urban design. Her professional portfolio is full of successful projects across the Southeast region that demonstrate how architects can fuse affordable housing with award-winning design to invigorate neighborhoods.

Loper was nominated for the 20 Under 40 list by David Hinson, Associate Dean in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC). “I have known Amanda for over 20 years and have followed her impressive career with pride,” Hinson said. “She is an exemplar of the ‘citizen architect’ we work so hard to nurture here at Auburn; excelling at the art of architecture, giving her talents and energy in service to her community and working to instill these values in the hearts and minds of future professionals.”

Loper and the other young alumni named to the list will gather on campus to celebrate before being honored during Auburn’s football game on Saturday, September 17. “Our faculty see her as an inspiring role model for our students and a go-to expert on housing and good urbanism,” stated Hinson. “She is the model of leadership and a positive influence on practitioners, students, and civic leaders alike.”