Larry Speck, FAIA, Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

The Texas Society of Architects (TxA) has announced its selection of Page Senior Principal Larry Speck, FAIA, as the 2017 recipient of the Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Honor of Llewellyn W. Pitts FAIA. Nominated by AIA Austin, this honor recognizes Larry’s invaluable contribution to the profession of architecture throughout his career.

AIA Austin President Luis Jauregui, FAIA, summed it up this way: “Larry has been, for his whole career, on a mission to advance our field and to increase its prominence in American culture. He has accomplished that on a scale that is rare, maybe even unique, by leveraging the resources of a great university, a large and prominent architectural practice, and outstanding professional organizations like the AIA. His powerful leadership at the highest level in each of these arenas—as Professor and Dean of the School of Architecture at UT Austin, as Senior Principal at Page, as TxA President at the state level and Chair of the Jury of Fellows at the national level in AIA—has enabled him to produce a lasting legacy of accomplishments that have made a truly significant mark in architecture in our era.”

Larry’s list of accolades includes more than 132 design awards and more than 40 education and teaching awards. His tireless efforts to contribute to the discourse surrounding the profession have resulted in 67 books and articles he penned and more than 193 books and articles written about his work. The number of lectures and juries he has given and participated on reach more than 350, and he has held 90 positions on community organizations committees and boards.

TxA summarizes Larry’s achievements and contributions to the profession with the following paragraph.

Renowned design architect, esteemed academician, and legendary proponent of the power of architecture to influence the world — Larry Speck has made an indelible mark in the profession, and on the built environment of Texas and beyond. Through roles such as professor and dean at The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, Senior Principal at Page, TxA president, and chair of the AIA Jury of Fellows, he has advanced the profession, worked to increase its prominence in American culture, and served as a generous mentor and an inspiration to other architects and emerging professionals — all while consistently designing thoughtful, elegant, enduring works of architecture.

At Page, Larry is the ultimate champion of design and collaboration. Page Principal and AIA Austin President-Elect Wendy Dunnam Tita, AIA, emphasizes Larry’s deep commitment to the profession. “It is hard to imagine another person who has done more to create great buildings that enrich our urban fabric, while supporting the development of the professionals learning and working alongside him,” says Dunnam Tita. "Generations of clients have been both educated and inspired throughout the design process as they engage in designs informed by Larry’s humanity and aspirations for their projects.”

Former Page Managing Principal Matt Kreisle, FAIA, notes that the honor is well deserved. “Larry has always been a role model for each of us in the firm, as well as throughout the academic and professional communities,” says Kreisle. Senior Principal Bob Burke, PE, echoes this sentiment: “I know that I speak for the entire Page Team when I say that we are very proud to have worked with Larry on so many exciting and successful projects over the years. It is so gratifying to see the positive impact that these projects have and will continue to have on people throughout Texas.”

Max Levy, FAIA, describes the impact of Larry’s design work and projects below.

“Over these past 35 years the world of serious architecture has become dominated by a striving for originality and hipness. Most of us are attracted to this entertaining flame, yet we soon realize this type of work often leaves a feeling of hollowness. Turns out it is much more difficult to do what Larry has been doing all this time: consistently designing buildings that are thoughtful and convey human warmth, buildings that are handsome and pleasant, buildings that enjoy new technology without making a fetish about it, buildings that not only garner awards from our peers but manage to appeal to the mainstream as well.”

Larry will be honored by TxA at its 2017 statewide convention in November.