Omni principal Eric Zabilka has received AIA Kentucky’s Distinguished Service Award for 2020. The award recognizes an individual Member for a specific contribution or for their dedication and service which has significantly furthered the purposes of AIA Kentucky. Zabilka is one of two principal architects at Omni Architects and serves as the firm’s vice president. Throughout his 25-year career at Omni, he has been involved in the design of many distinguished and award winning projects, such as the University of Kentucky School of Art & Visual Studies, the Natural Science Center at Northern Kentucky University, the Student Union at Northern Kentucky University, and the Science Building at Eastern Kentucky University.

In addition to his role at Omni, Zabilka makes time to give back to the profession, his community, and to future generations of architects. His voluntary service spans a broad range of activities that include lectures and committee work. He is an adjunct instructor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Architecture where he teaches the Professional Practice course, which includes guest lectures by representatives of AIA Kentucky, as well as allied professionals. He also continues to mentor architectural interns and has conducted study sessions for architectural graduates who are preparing for the Architectural Registration Exams (ARE).

Zabilka lends his time to community organizations that benefit from his architectural perspective and experience. He currently services on the Board of Directors of Shaker Village in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and in his native Jessamine County, he has served on the Jessamine County Planning Commission and the City of Wilmore’s Community Development Board. His commitment to public health, safety, and welfare is demonstrated through his ongoing participation in AIA initiatives that address potential modifications to the Kentucky Building Code. In 2017, he was integral in AIA Kentucky’s efforts to prevent a rollback in Kentucky’s energy code.

POSITIONS HELD
Architects Ad Hoc Review Committee, Kentucky Office of Housing, Building, and Construction; 2006, 2012, 2015, 2018
Community Development Board Member, City of Wilmore, Kentucky
Commissioner, Jessamine County - City of Wilmore Joint Planning Commission 2006 - 2019
University of Kentucky EKC AIA Mentoring Program, 2004
Board of Trustees, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, Kentucky

TEACHING/LECTURES/PUBLICATIONS/PANEL DISCUSSIONS
AIAKY Quality Based Selection Process Committee, and SMPS Panel Discussion, 2020
University of Kentucky College of Design Faculty, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (Professional Practice Course)
A.R.E. Tutorial class for architectural interns, 2018
Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences (CCAS) 44th Annual Meeting: “Decanal Participation in Building Projects: From Preparation to Construction and Commissioning”, November 2009
Society for College and University Planning 43rd Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec: “Keys to a Collaborative Process”, July, 2008
University of Kentucky 2009 Solar Decathlon Entry, Competition Juror, April, 2008
Eastern Kentucky University Chautauqua Lecture Series 2007: “Architecture Matters” October 2007
Eastern Kentucky University Earth Days 2007; “Green Design in EKU’s New Science Building”, April 2007
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Conference, Raleigh, NC
Conference Poster: “Less is More: EKU’s Science Building, November 9-11, 2008
ACADIA 2006 International Conference, Louisville, KY:
“Materials Revisited/Concrete+Glass+Zinc” October 2006
University of Kentucky College of Design, Department of Historic Preservation, Instructor 2000 - 2002
Kentucky Heritage Council Conference, Lexington, Kentucky Lecturer, “Recording Woodlawn:1822-1995”, October 1995
Kentucky Heritage Council Conference, Bardstown, Kentucky Lecturer: “Historic Documentation of the Brassfield Depot”, September, 1993