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Three Architects Selected to Receive The 2005 American Institute of Architects Thomas Jefferson Award For Public Architecture
Security Through Design, Affordable Public Housing, and D.C.'s Public Spaces Benefit Greatly from Recipients Dedication to Excellence
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For Immediate Release |
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Washington, D.C., January 21,
2005 — The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced
Charles Atherton, FAIA, of Washington D.C.; Carol Ross Barney,
FAIA, of Chicago; and Diane Georgopulos, AIA, of Boston, have been
selected to receive the 2005 Thomas Jefferson Award for Public
Architecture. This year’s award recipients will be honored and
receive their awards at the AIA 2005 National Convention and Design
Exposition in Las Vegas in May.
The Thomas Jefferson Award recognizes excellence in architectural
advocacy and achievement in three categories: Private-sector
architects who have established a portfolio of accomplishment in
the design of architecturally distinguished public facilities,
Public-sector architects who manage or produce quality design
within their agencies; and Public officials or other individuals
who by their role of advocacy have furthered the public's awareness
and/or appreciation of design excellence.
The 2005 AIA Thomas Jefferson Award for Public
officials
Charles H. Atherton, FAIA
Washington, D.C.
“Commitment to excellence in architecture,” the
beginning treatise of the Thomas Jefferson award, is epitomized by
the work of Charles Atherton, FAIA, who served 44 years as
secretary of the Commission of Fine Arts. Atherton’s influence
on works of public architecture and maintaining quality
architecture and planning in our nation’s capital is
reminiscent of Mr. Jefferson’s own commitment to the built
environment,” according to the jury.
“His exceptional stewardship as secretary of the Commission is
without equal in its profound influences on the nation’s
capital,” wrote nominator Harry G. Robinson III, FAIA, dean
emeritus and professor of urban design at Howard University and
former chair of the U. S. Commission of Fine Arts. “A scholar
on the development of the City, he brought reason and
thoughtfulness to decisions affecting its memorials; changes in its
landscape, structure, and patterns; and to its built
interventions.”
Atherton devoted his professional career to carrying forth the
commission’s ideal of functioning as an independent agency to
advise the Federal and District of Columbia governments on matters
of art and architecture that affect the appearance of the nation's
capital. Among the projects on which he worked were the FDR
Memorial, Lafayette Square directly opposite the White House, and
the WWII Memorial, which was 10 years in the making. In fact,
Atherton retired on May 24, 2004, the day the WWII Memorial was
dedicated.
“Atherton’s influence in major decisions of design in
Washington is enormous. Freedom Plaza, the preservation of the
Willard Hotel, the Georgetown Waterfront, extension of the West
Front of the Capitol--to name only a few--exhibit his lasting
legacy and love for our nation’s capital,” said the jury.
“His receipt of this award expresses not only his love of our
nation’s capital, but his enduring affection for preservation
and sustainability.”
The 2005 AIA Thomas Jefferson Award for Private-sector
architects
Carol Ross Barney, FAIA
Chicago
Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, through her Chicago-based firm, Ross
Barney + Jankowski, has enhanced the quality of public
architecture, taking it to new heights. As one of her nominators
put it, her projects are “all icons on shoestring
budgets”—a marvelous accomplishment that makes her worthy
of this award in the eyes of the jury. Ross Barney’s portfolio
of public projects demonstrates a lasting legacy of excellence. Her
work has resulted in major improvements not only to the city and
suburbs of Chicago and the state of Illinois, but nationally as
well. The new Oklahoma City Federal Building, the first of its
kind, demonstrates how complex security requirements can be
addressed in an unusually creative and attractive manner.
In addition to the Oklahoma City Federal Building, Ross Barney +
Jankowski’s long list of award-winning architecture includes
the U.S. Post Office, Glendale, Ill. (1991 AIA Honor Award); Cesar
Chavez Elementary School, Chicago (1994 AIA Honor Award for
Architecture); and the Little Village Academy, Chicago (2000 AIA
Honor Award for Interior Architecture and a 2002 AIA Honor Award
for Architecture). The firm also has captured numerous awards from
AIA Chicago and local and state civic groups. Ross Barney is noted
for her professional and civic involvement in her community as
well, and in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks, has served in many aspects as a security adviser.
The jury noted that Ross Barney’s office offers an unusual
reflection of society at large in that it is one of the most
demographically diverse firms in the country. She has created a
unique working environment where women, and persons of color
especially, can thrive. Perhaps, the jury posited, the diversity of
the firm helps explain how and why its work relates so well to the
diverse populations of those who use its projects.
“Ross Barney’s architecture career demonstrates a strong
sensitivity, care, and compassion for the public,” said the
jury. “Her projects not only listen and respond to users’
needs, they also dignify users.”
The 2005 AIA Thomas Jefferson Award for Public-sector
architects
Diane Georgopulos, AIA
Boston
As a design review architect for the past 18 years Diane
Georgopulos, AIA, has evolved in her role at the Massachusetts
Housing Finance Agency (MassHousing), a public bank charged with
the mission of building affordable housing. According to her
nominators at the Boston Society of Architects, two programs
exemplify her skills and adroitness at pursuing the public
good.
The first, The Demonstration Disposition Program, a federal
initiative that “can best be described as a complex blend of
housing, economic development, and resident empowerment,”
invested a $320 million budget by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development, the largest ever given to the State of
Massachusetts. Georgopulos coordinated the planning and design
and/or renovation of some 1,850 units of rundown housing in 14
developments in three Boston neighborhoods—working with
architecture firms and resident associations to cut through red
tape.
Her second major undertaking, The Elder Choice Program, found
Georgopulos serving as the project’s design team member. She
actively participated in creating 1,500 units of housing for
healthy seniors at a wide range of income levels who might
otherwise have been placed inappropriately in nursing homes.
Georgopulos was able to employ her user-based and behavior-based
design studies while a student at SUNY/Buffalo and MIT on this
project. “Georgopulos’ commitment, dedication, and talent
have been consistently applied to achieving successful
results,” wrote her nominators. “She strives to advance
the quality of design in serving the higher purpose for eliminating
blight and improving the condition of those most in need of safe,
decent, and affordable housing.”
“Georgopulos’ career has been spent on developing methods
that would enhance the ability of the public sector to implement
government policy to bring life to decaying neighborhoods but doing
it in a manner that has kept resident leaders involved,” said
the jury. “She has developed innovative methods of creating
affordable housing that have improved the quality of life for those
most in need, without losing sight of the importance of good urban
design in creating communities.”
About The American Institute of Architects
Since 1857, the AIA has represented the professional interests of
America's architects. As AIA members, over 74,000 licensed
architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners express
their commitment to excellence in design and livability in our
nation's buildings and communities. Members adhere to a code of
ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the
public, and colleagues of an AIA-member architect's dedication to
the highest standards in professional practice.
Note to editors: For additional background
information, to schedule an interview or to request high-resolution
images contact Cara Battaglini in the AIA’s media relations
office, (202) 626-7462, email: carab@aia.org
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