Architecture and design firm Carrier Johnson + CULTURE has announced that they are celebrating the long career of associate principal and project architect Randy Cramer. A 37-year veteran of the firm since 1979, Cramer was feted at a surprise gathering today in honor of his retirement, his long and dedicated service, and his contributions to the clients and neighborhoods that his work has touched.
"Randy will be sorely missed," says Gordon Carrier, FAIA, design principal and partner with Carrier Johnson + CULTURE. "His work as a project architect has been, in a word, peerless--we could rely on him to design and deliver excellence on every project."
"And more importantly, he's just a great guy," Carrier adds. "Randy has been a steadfast colleague through thick and thin these past 37 years. When there were tough tasks, he was there to tackle them. When there were difficult times, he was there standing beside us. Everybody in the office loves him, and we can't believe that he's leaving. The firm simply will not be the same without his presence."
Beloved by his coworkers, Cramer has been a fixture in the Carrier Johnson + CULTURE office. His colleagues have grown fond of his affinity for loud country music in the early morning hours, and admire him for his talent with woodworking: several pieces of Cramer's handcrafted wood furniture have honored places in the firm's headquarters.
"Randy is a genuine throwback from the past," an architect, builder and artisan all rolled into one," says design principal Michael Johnson.
Cramer's most recent work for Carrier Johnson + CULTURE includes an ongoing project at Point Loma Nazarene University here in San Diego. For this higher education institution founded with a mission to unite liberal arts pursuits and bible study, the firm is currently at work on a new chapel whose design will be heavily influenced by Cramer, even as he retires. But the chapel project is a mere fraction of Cramer's legacy and portfolio, which includes work in higher education, corporate office, government and hospitality. Examples include:
- Village at Torrey Pines, University of California-San Diego. This 238,000-square-foot student housing complex includes a 13-story tower and several low-rise "eco-flats"--all connected by The Strand, a pedestrian walkway cut diagonally through the plan--providing accommodations for more than 800 students and below-grade parking;
- Sony Electronics North American Headquarters. A 455,000-square-foot, 11-story LEED Gold office tower that includes a fitness center, a 550-seat auditorium, and an adjacent 1,400-car parking garage
- Hilton Gaslamp Quarter. A mixed-use development for San Diego's historic Gaslamp District. The project included a 160,000-square-foot, 163-room Hilton Hotel, as well as 53,400 square feet of office and retail space, and a series of infill structures.
- First Allied Plaza. Opened as Broadway 655, a 23-story mixed-use tower that features prominently in the San Diego skyline. Includes 412,000 square feet of office space, plus retail, residential units, and parking.
"At Carrier Johnson + CULTURE, we pride ourselves on our mission to identify opportunities for expressing what makes our client unique, what is authentic about them and translate that into responsive, sustainable building design," says Johnson. "And we could always count on Randy to make all of our jobs easier. Whether he was at the drafting table, or on the project site, or meeting with clients, we always knew Randy was involved in the kind of design excellence and thorough process that has been a hallmark of our best work."
"Randy has been a loyal colleague and friend, and will be greatly missed," adds Johnson. "We're sure that our clients and the many around San Diego and around the world whose lives have been touched by his work would join us in wishing Randy Cramer a long, relaxing retirement."
