Practicing ArchitectureAwards

2010 YOUNG ARCHITECTS AWARDS

After graduating from Texas A&M University, Brian became a Registered Architect in 2000 and began his career at Kirksey, where he practiced as a designer before founding Kirksey EcoServices, a consulting group focused on sustainable design.

In 2003 he was elected Chairman of the AIA Houston COTE committee, during which time he organized Gulf Coast Green, a regional symposium and expo now in its 5th year and praised by both AIA National and the U.S. Green Buildings Council (USGBC) as a model for regional green building conferences. For these efforts and his growing body of outstanding architectural projects, Brian received the Chapter’s 2004 Ben Brewer Young Architect Award. Three years later, based on his leadership and dedication to the AIA as a Director, Brian became President-elect of AIA Houston, becoming arguably the youngest person to ever serve this chapter as President.

During his presidency, Brian’s focus on sustainability cemented Houston as a credible source for green building information and knowledge. He initiated five major programs: the Green Building Resource Center for the City of Houston, Houston Disaster Action (HDA) following Hurricane Ike and helping 567 homeowners in the area, Greenworks Houston exhibition and publication (continuing now as Greenworks Houston 2), Green E-Toolbox monthly newsletter to members, and a Solar Pilot Project to place 100 KW solar panels on the George R Brown Convention Center. The resulting success of all these is a greener and more aware City of Houston. These initiatives were all in addition to a myriad of other responsibilities and new ideas Brian continues to generate as past-President. He has testified in Austin and advised on state legislation related to sustainability. Such activities have brought credence and admiration from State and Local officials for the AIA.

In practice, Brian’s many green building firsts, design awards, published work, speaking engagements, and firm success clearly illustrate his leadership as a practitioner. Brian has won four individual awards and 23 design awards for buildings on which he served a leadership role; additionally his projects have repeatedly been featured in national and regional publications. Because of his pioneering efforts, Brian has multiple green building firsts, both in Houston and in Texas, including the first LEED building, commercial interiors, core and shell, and speculative office in Houston, and the first LEED for existing buildings in Texas, his firm’s own office.

Now at Kirksey, Brian created and leads Kirksey EcoServices, a unique, multi-disciplinary consulting group at Kirksey focused on green building research, LEED documentation, energy and daylight analysis, and sustainability training. The EcoServices group dominates the green building market with over 22 million square feet of LEED projects.

“Brian brings a rare combination of both design and sustainability together in a way that has benefitted our company and all of our employees,” praises Mike Downs, a major client of Brian’s and vice- president of Sysco. Brian’s green contributions are further commended by National USGBC Board member Gail Vittori, “Brian’s pioneering efforts on behalf of green building have had a national and regional impact.” Even Bill White, Mayor of Houston, with whom Brian has worked extensively on the Mayor’s Green Building Advisory Council, stresses that the city and region owe Brian Malarkey a debt of gratitude, due to his leadership in the furtherance of green initiatives, placing Houston as a top role-model for sustainability efforts and achievement.

Brian Malarkey, AIA

2010 YOUNG ARCHITECTS AWARD JURY

Donald J. Hackl, FAIA (Chair)
Loebl, Schlossman & Hackl
Chicago

Edward J. Kodet Jr., FAIA
Kodet Architectural Group, Ltd.
Minneapolis

Norman L. Koonce, FAIA
McLean, Virginia

Ronald Skaggs, FAIA
HKS, Inc.
Dallas

Chester A. Widom, FAIA
WWCOT Architecture & Interiors
Santa Monica, California

JURY COMMENTS

“He is a pioneer for green
building efforts, pursuing the
transformation of Houston’s
built environment and steadily
becoming more and more
influential on a national level”