In the midst of a renaissance for federal government buildings nationwide, the American Institute of Architects has recognized Leslie Shepherd, Chief Architect of the U.S. General Services Administration, as a recipient of the prestigious 2010 Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture.
WASHINGTON- In the midst of a renaissance for
federal government buildings nationwide, the American Institute of Architects
has recognized Leslie Shepherd, Chief Architect of the U.S. General Services
Administration, as a recipient of the prestigious 2010 Thomas Jefferson Award
for Public Architecture.
Shepherd is one of three recipients of the award this year, recognized by
his peers for having a vital and positive influence on architecture’s
interaction with the public at large.
“This is a great honor for Les, as well as for GSA,” said Robert A. Peck,
Commissioner of Public Buildings. “Public buildings are the visible and
practical symbol of our democracy in America's communities, and Les's
commitment to high-quality design and productive workplaces is evident in
federal buildings across the country.”
As GSA’s Chief Architect, Shepherd leads the Design Excellence Program, a
highly acclaimed project under the umbrella of the Public Services Building that
attracts and retains some of the nation’s brightest architects and engineers.
With more than 21 years of federal service to GSA, Shepherd continues to ensure
that the award-winning building projects under his guidance yield high marks in
construction, architecture, and performance. Just recently, Shepherd was at the
helm of the design and construction of the LEED-Gold border station in
Calais, Maine that earned widespread approval from
national and state officials alike.
One of Shepherd’s colleagues, Hugh Hardy of H3 Hardy Collective
Architecture, also praised his steadfast commitment to architecture, stating the
award “represents Shepherd’s worthy continuation of the architectural challenge
presented by Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.”
Moynihan authored the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture, issued
by President Kennedy in 1962, that called on the government to embrace the best
in American architectural thought.
Since their inception in 1992, the Thomas Jefferson Awards have
recognized public or private sector architects or individuals who have designed
exemplary public facilities, overseen or created designs of high caliber within
their own agencies, or used their role as a pillar to advance the public’s
appreciation of design excellence.
Based in Washington, the AIA has been the leading
professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging
professionals, and allied partners since 1857. With nearly 300 state and local
chapters, the AIA serves as the voice of the architecture profession and the
resource for its members in service to society.
GSA Chief Architect Shepherd Honored by American Institute of Architects