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.
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