Curtis Fentress will become the world's first airport design architect to scoop the American Institute of Architect's (AIA) Thomas Jefferson Public Architecture award in recognition of his work on public building projects.

Fentress, who has worked on the design of some of the world's most iconic airports, including Denver and Incheon, will receive the award at the 2010 AIA National Convention in Miami in June.

He will be only the seventh person in 18 years to receive the Thomas Jefferson Award in the 'private-sector architect' category, which recognises an accomplished design portfolio of quality and architecturally distinguished public buildings.

"Curt's commitment to first-class design in public spaces is commendable," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director, Los Angeles World Airports.  "Moreover, his dedication to the users of these public buildings is unparalleled."

Fentress' passenger terminal at Incheon International Airport in South Korea and his work on the recently completed modernisation of Los Angeles International Airport have garnered recognition worldwide for design excellence and outstanding curbside-to-airside passenger experience.

Incheon was voted "World's Best Airport" five consecutive years in a row between 2005-2009 by ACI's ASQ passenger survey, has become one of Asia's premier airport cities.