Zabilka receives Distinguished Alumni Award

Omni president Eric Zabilka has been honored with the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design (ArcD) Distinguished Alumni Award. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated leadership and significantly contributed to the design professions and the communities they serve. Eric is a 1995 graduate of KU who elected to return to his native Kentucky, where he saw an opportunity to heighten awareness of the value of contemporary design and enhance architecture in an underserved region. Through design awards, teaching, exhibitions, and speaking engagements, Eric has demonstrated his mission to introduce thoughtful, contemporary design within a historically conservative and largely rural state.

‍

The selection committee recognized Eric's numerous accomplishments throughout his career, including his role in growing and fostering Omni Architects' legacy as Kentucky’s preeminent design firm. While his work is located primarily in Kentucky, Eric's designs have been acknowledged by juries composed of nationally esteemed architects. Of the thirty-one design awards that Omni Architects has received from AIAKY to date - more than any other firm in the Commonwealth - Eric served as a designer on twenty and lead designer on seven. Under Eric's design leadership, Omni also earned its second Distinguished Firm Award from AIA Kentucky, becoming the first repeat winner in the award’s history.

‍

Eric was further recognized for his contributions to the industry, including his work on the AIA Kentucky Code Review Committee, as an instructor at the University of Kentucky College of Design, and his service to community planning commissions and historic preservation efforts.

‍

Eric currently leads Omni's third generation of ownership, implementing mentoring and leadership development initiatives to encourage growth from within and ensure the continuation of Omni's reputation as a design legacy in Kentucky.