Practicing ArchitectureAwards

2010 HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

Throughout his illustrious career, Jerrold P. Lea, Hon. AIA, Senior Vice President of Hines Conceptual Construction group, has provided distinguished service to the profession of architecture through his leadership and commitment to excellence in sustainable design practices and technologies. Being intimately involved in the realization and operation of nearly all of Hines’ projects, he fully understands the impact large commercial buildings have on the environment and has commissioned some of the best architects to design his projects based on his respect for their contributions to creating more livable and sustainable cities.

In 2000, at a time when both architects and developers were acknowledging the importance of sustainability yet hesitant to fully commit the time and resources necessary to make it a reality, Jerry provided critical leadership in advancing high-performance sustainable design. His nationally recognized efforts lent credibility to the integration of sustainable strategies in commercial developments. As Chairman (2001–2008) of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Core & Shell (CS) Committee, he spearheaded efforts to create standards applicable to the development of large multi-tenant buildings. As a result, the USGBC created LEED Core & Shell as a new designation for certification and, thanks in part to Jerry’s efforts LEED-CS has rapidly become part of the definition of Class A office developments across the United States.

Leading by example, Mr. Lea registered Hines’ projects in the USGBC’s pilot program. As a result, its 1180 Peachtree in Atlanta by Pickard Chilton and Kendall/Heaton Associates was the first high-rise office building in the world to be pre-certified for LEEDCS Silver and the second to be ultimately awarded LEED-CS Gold certification. His commitment to designing and constructing environmentally friendly buildings has earned the Hines organization additional “firsts” internationally for their sustainable development practices. These include developing the first application of raised-floor technology in North America, first project in Massachusetts to be designated as “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR”, and the first office project in Barcelona, Spain to be LEED pre-certified. Subsequent to these achievements, Hines has realized 145 projects totaling nearly 90 million square feet that are certified, pre-certified, or registered in LEED programs.

Christine Ervin, former USGBC president and CEO stated, “Mr. Lea has demonstrated that a sustainable approach to real estate also makes good business sense. Hines’ sale of 1180 Peachtree, a LEED-CS Gold project in Atlanta, and One South Dearborn by DeStefano Keating Partners, Ltd., a LEED-CS Silver project in Chicago, received the highest sales price (dollars per square foot) for buildings ever sold in those markets providing confirmation that high performance, sustainable buildings are attractive to tenants and prospective buyers.”

Of particular importance is Jerry's continued support of and innovation in sustainable design. Working with the USGBC he advanced the notion that if there were a "core and shell" category then developers would more readily apply for LEED certification and therefore produce more sustainable buildings. By proving that his green "core and shell" projects have higher occupancy rates relative to the non-green buildings of his competitors, Jerry has helped to create a "sea-change" in attitudes in the development community which is leading us toward more sustainable buildings.

Ranging from Philip Johnson’s Bank of America Center in Houston to 1180 Peachtree in Atlanta, projects led by Jerry Lea have redefined skylines, revitalized urban centers, established national standards or sustainable design, served as headquarters for some of the nation’s most prominent corporations, and preserved and creatively reused historic structures. In addition to sustainable developments of varying scale and complexity, these internationally recognized works of architecture reflect the impressive diversity and deep architectural talent that Jerry has brought to bear to the benefit of Hines and the cities where these projects are located.

Under Jerry’s guidance, Hines’ leadership in sustainable design continues to explore and set new standards. Hines was a founding member of the German Sustainable Building Council, is currently engaged in the creation of a Russia Green Building Council, and is active in the BRE Environmental Assessment Method program in the United Kingdom and the Haute Qualité Environementale program in France. As a nationally recognized authority on sustainable developments, Jerry has been and continues to be a contributor and participant for numerous symposia and lectures and is frequently quoted or featured in national professional journals and magazines.

In his letter of support, William K. Hellmuth, AIA, president of HOK, describes Jerry as “a leader in both sustainability and the stewardship of a design excellence process that has had a profound positive effect on the architectural landscape of the American city.”

Jerrold P. Lea, Hon. AIA

2010 JURY FOR HONORARY MEMBERS

James H. Eley, FAIA
(Chair)
Eley Associates Architect
Jackson, Miss.

Mary Fitch, Hon. AIA
AIA Washington DC
Washington, D.C.

Leslie J. Thomas, AIA
Thomas Bracy Architects,
PLLC
Concord, N.H.