Meet Randy Holmes, FAIA

Where did you go to college?
I attended UVA Undergrad (1979) and also UVA Grad School (1982)

Would you recommend studying architecture to a young person? Absolutely. It is a wonderful major with many options for how to apply architectural training to various career paths. Architectural training can take one towards a more traditional route of designing buildings to newer forms of a career like CAD modeling, gaming, or other types of application of design training.

What does it take to be an architect?
It requires perseverance, faith, enjoyment of the creative process, good listening skills, and respect for collaboration and leadership…..many more qualifiers could be added, however, the great thing about architecture is that it can utilize a wide variety of abilities within the profession. Most important, it requires a commitment to the built environment and the elevation of people’s experience of it.

Was there an architect that particularly inspired you?
There are many. As one who appreciate history, I value Vitruvius, Alberti (and many other Renaissance Architects), Wren, Lutyens, Cram, McKim, Mead and White, Carrere and Hastings, Bottomley, and others from around the turn of the 20th century. I was mentored by Jaquelin Robertson who heavily influenced the start of my architectural career and he introduces me to people like Leon Krier, Demetri Porphyrios and Andres Duany, and Liz Plater Zyberk. I collaborated on one project with Quinlan Terry who was influential to me. Jim Glave was a longtime mentor and friend. Robert A M Stern and his firm have always been an inspiration to me.

What are you currently reading?
The Future of the Past by Steven W. Semes. I just finished On the Road with Saint Augustine by James K. A. Smith which was fantastic.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
That’s tough. I like many meals (my waistline is proof of the fact). It is often the combination of food and atmosphere that makes meals memorable to me. I just returned from Jamaica where a group of my friends, my wife and I sat on a point, looking out on the sunset over the ocean and had a fabulous meal of fish, vegetables, bread, and wine….these kinds of experiences seem to make the best meals to me.

Why do you volunteer with the AIA?
Because AIA is the architect’s advocacy group and our only large, national, professional association. We must make it as strong as we can and so volunteering is one way to make a small contribution towards that aim.

Honor and Design Awards Presented at Visions 2013

The Virginia Society AIA Awards for Excellence in Architecture presented by IMAGINiT Technologies and the Society’s Honors Awards were presented at the 2013 Visions for Architecture gala at the Jefferson Hotel on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013.

Watch the 2013 Virginia Society AIA  Honors Awards video

Watch the 2013 Awards for Excellence presented by IMAGINiT Technologies video

Awards for Distinguished Achievement Announced

H. Randolph Holmes, Jr., AIA, Burchell Pinnock, AIA, and Keith Zawistowski, AIA, will each be honored with the Award for Distinguished Achievement on Nov. 7 at Architecture Exchange East during the Annual Meeting of the Membership and on Nov. 8 during the Visions for Architecture gala at the Jefferson Hotel. The Award for Distinguished Achievement signals especially noteworthy achievement by an architect in any one of the following categories: design, practice, education, service as “citizen architect,” and service to the profession. This award may serve as an accolade for the work of an entire career or recognize the current accomplishments of a younger leader.

H. Randolph Holmes, Jr., AIA
H. Randolph “Randy” Holmes, Jr., AIA

During his more than 30 years in practice, Randy Holmes, senior principal and president at Glavé and Holmes Architecture, has developed an outstanding body of work which is characterized by a deep respect for the region’s architectural heritage and a particular sensitivity to context. His commitment to an architectural expression which is not focused on buildings as objects, but as part of an environment has clearly placed the emphasis on human interaction and cultural heritage. A gifted designer, his passion for careful materials-selection and commitment to the highest standards of craftsmanship have transformed and elevated the practice of architecture in the state and demonstrated a modern approach to contextual design.

 

 

Burt Pinnock
Burchelle “Burt” Pinnock, AIA

With an approach to design that is both forward-thinking and historically sensitive, Burt Pinnock’s work is rooted in the belief that architecture can provide not only solutions to cultural challenges but true social change in our communities. As founder and principal of BAM Architects, and in his current role as principal at Baskervill, he has developed a portfolio of award-winning work and has become a powerful voice for creative, compelling, and responsible design. He co-founded Storefront for Community Design, a volunteer-based, nonprofit building and design resource aimed at “quality community development and strengthening the legacy of Richmond’s urban neighborhoods through education, advocacy, and participation.” For the past two decades he has powerfully combined passion, talent and personality to realize the many projects that have defined him both as an outstanding architect and an exemplary leader.

 

Keith and Marie Zawistowski
Keith Zawistowski, AIA, and Marie Zawistowski

In 2008 Keith Zawistowski, AIA, joined the faculty at Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture + Design, where he co-teaches with Marie Zawistowski. In addition to teaching Professional Practice, Building Analysis, and Building Assemblies, they founded the design/buildLAB. The design/buildLAB is a project-based, experiential-learning program focused on the research, development and implementation of innovative construction methods and architectural designs. Students collaborate with local communities and industry experts to conceive and realize built projects that are both educational and charitable in nature. The aspiration of the innovative program is to reinforce the knowledge and skills necessary to the successful and meaningful practice of architecture by removing the boundaries between academy and professional practice. For their extraordinary joint efforts to advance the art and science of architectural education, the Society presents Keith Zawistowski with the Award for Distinguished Achievement and also recognizes Marie Zawistowski with Society Honors.