MVRDV’s Winy Maas, Jo Coenen of JCCA Architects, Smiljan Radic Clarke, Chile, Bruno Gabbiani of Studio Gabbiani Associati and Manfredi Nicoletti of Studio Nicoletti, Italy, were awarded Honorary Fellowships from the AIA's prestigious College of Fellows at the AIA National Convention on 1 May. The honour is awarded to international architects who have made significant contributions to the architectural profession, not only as an individual, but also to architecture and society on an international level.

A small number of AIA Honorary Fellows are selected annually by a Jury of Fellows and several practicing architects from the United States. The 2009 Jury of Fellows elevated the 9 international architects to Honorary Fellowship as architects of esteemed character and distinguished achievements who are neither U.S. citizens nor U.S. residents, and who do not primarily practice architecture within the domain of the Institute.

Honorary Fellows selected in previous years include David Adjaye, UK, Stefan Behnisch, Germany, David Chipperfield, UK, and Dominique Perrault, France.