2018 Recap: Looking Back / Looking Forward

2018 was a year of numerous accomplishments and milestones for Page and its employees. The firm started and ended the year with two thought leadership events on resilience, was ranked on a number of professional lists, had projects recognized for awards and congratulated its people on their accomplishments.

Early in the year, Page collaborated with Metropolis Magazine to host a public panel discussion on the importance of incorporating social resilience into design to strengthen communities. In November, the Page Foundation partnered with 100 Resilient Cities to continue conversations on building stronger communities through preparedness and socioeconomic resilience.

The firm was pleased to be recognized on several Top Ranked lists such as Architecture Record’s Top 300 Firms, Engineering News-Record’s Top Design Firms, Interior Design Magazine’s Top 100 Interior Design Giants and Building Design + Construction Giants, among others. Individual Page offices in the U.S. also were included in their regional Business Journal rankings.

While projects are like children – all are important – recognition for some is particularly meaningful such as Magnolia Montessori For All. This is the first public Montessori school in a socioeconomically challenged urban area and it earned attention from Architect Magazine, Metropolis Magazine and Texas Architect Magazine. It also received the highest honor of Design Excellence Award from the Society of American Registered Architects.

Another project of which Page is proud of is the long range development plan for the new Oregon State University – Cascades campus, the first four-year campus in Central Oregon. The firm collaborated with SERA Architects on the campus design, which was honored by the Society of College and University Planners with an Honor Award in Excellence. It was subsequently published in Learning By Design Magazine.

A few of our notable towers also experienced milestones this year. 200 West 6th Street broke ground; the project re-envisions an entire block with a new tower, a renovated historic Post Office and a plaza. Nearby in the Rainey Street District, 70 Rainey, a luxury residential tower, celebrated substantial completion and its neighbor-to-be, 44 East Avenue, was announced. Fountain Place Residences neared topping out with its promise to complete the original Pei Cobb Freed master plan for the iconic tower.

Page mourned the unexpected passing of General Manager Cliff Lloyd, who was in his 63^rd year (yes, you read that right) of employment at the time. Cliff was integral to Page’s history and leadership and influenced multiple generations of Page management, employees, clients, partners and industry members. On a happier note, Senior Principal Bob Burke, PE, celebrated his 30^th anniversary at Page with 180 of his nearest and dearest – Pagers in his office.

Senior Principal James M. Wright, FAIA, hit the national campaign trail to raise awareness of opportunities for the next generation of leaders of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He highlighted the need for greater diversity, inclusivity and gender equity, prioritizing sustainability in architecture, encouraging emerging professionals and adapting instead of reacting to technological innovations.

Principal Wendy Dunnam Tita, who served as the 2018 AIA Austin President, was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows, an unparalleled level of professional prestige that only three percent of AIA members achieve. Principal Herman Dyal, who already was an AIA Fellow, became the only person in the U.S. to currently be recognized as a Fellow in both the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Congratulations to both for these elevated levels of professional acknowledgement!

Page is active in many AIA chapters and is proud to have leaders in three different Women in Architecture (WiA) Committees. The firm sponsored and participated in an AIA Chapter’s first annual Equity Series: Bias, which considers the role of unconscious bias in the workplace. Another WiA Committee  is jointly led by a Pager, who organized a successful EMPOWERING conference for women at which two female Page principals spoke. The third WiA Committee held several events organized by Pagers throughout the year as well.

Throughout the year, Pagers actively share their expertise, presenting at conferences, participating on panel discussions and networking at events. You can always find opportunities to connect with our people by following Where’s Page. The firm’s last, big 2018 event was the annual Texas Society of Architects Conference “Place” at which Pagers participated in seven different sessions and panel discussions. 

We’re very excited about early 2019 when we’ll be making some announcements so be sure to follow us, either on our website pagethink.com, on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. We also have an Instagram account where we share our thoughts and inspirations.