2011 Recipient | AIA Honorary Membership

Barry A. Sears, Hon. AIA | Notes of Interest

It was Barry Sears' professional background as a contributing editor, research analyst, and writer that stimulated his interest in historic architecture and eventually led to his joining the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) as a man of many roles. Sears has served as a member of its Auxiliary Board since 1973, a docent since 1992, a "Special Tours Consultant," and its go-to "VIP Tour Director."

Barry joined the Auxiliary Board of the CAF in 1973, beginning his involvement with Glessner House Museum, an 1887 Chicago landmark by Henry Hobson Richardson. The landmark was saved from demolition and, at that time, the CAF owned and operated the museum as its original headquarters.

When CAF spun off the museum into a separate non-profit in 1995, concentrating on tours and public education, Sears immediately agreed to serve on the newly formed Board of Directors for the museum, a position which he continues to hold to this day. His willingness to serve both organizations helped to smooth a difficult transition process and provide continuity as the museum sought to establish an independent identity.

As Program Chairman of the CAF's Auxiliary Board, he plans tours and receptions throughout the year at places of architectural interest in the Chicago area for members of the fund-raising board. He is a proud supporter of the architectural community and his programs create a showcase for the excellent design work of architects.

As a CAF docent, Sears has spent 18 years leading literally thousands of people on historic and modern architecture tours of Chicago. People from all over the world participate in these tours to experience and understand Chicago's legacy of architecture and, through Sears' work, they walk away with a better understanding of the profession as a whole. John M. Syvertsen, FAIA, notes in his reference letter, "In this capacity… Barry acts as a wonderful ambassador for our city and our country."

Barry also serves as the CAF's Special Tours Consultant and has organized over twenty architecture study-tours-- to ten U.S. and ten international cities-- for CAF's membership since 1996. More than 500 travelers have participated in these tours. He also holds the title of "VIP Tour Director," in which capacity he has planned and conducted tour programs for the President of Uruguay and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, among other distinguished visitors.

Lastly, Sears has been a significant donor to the CAF, perhaps most importantly to the 450 of his fellow docents. He brought to completion the "Barry Sears Library for Docents," which contains more than 600 volumes and 200 building files. It is a place of refuge and research for all docents to spend time in between tours and to conduct research in their particular areas of architectural interest.

Summing up his reference letter on Sears' behalf, William Tracy, AIA, notes, "As a direct result of Barry's knowledge and contributions, many non-architects now have a better understanding of the value that architects and design bring to our communities, not just in Chicago but across our country and in many others. It is hard to imagine a more effective world-wide advocate for the profession of architecture than Barry Sears."

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