Acclaimed architect Ted Flato keynotes 2012 Rowlett Lecture

Ted Flato, founding principal of [Lake|Flato] (http://www.lakeflato.com/) , a widely acclaimed, award-winning architecture firm based in San Antonio, discussed  the firm’s culture, tactics and philosophy at the 2012 John Miles Rowlett Lecture Series April 13 at Rudder Theatre on the Texas A&M campus.

Ted Flato, founding principal of [Lake|Flato] (http://www.lakeflato.com/) , a widely acclaimed, award-winning architecture firm based in San Antonio, discussed  the firm’s culture, tactics and philosophy at the 2012 John Miles Rowlett Lecture Series April 13 at Rudder Theatre on the Texas A&M campus.

The event is hosted annually by the [CRS Center] (http://archone.tamu.edu/crs/) for Leadership and Management in the Design and Construction Industry at the Texas A&M College of Architecture.

Flato, a [Fellow] (http://www.aia.org/practicing/groups/cof/AIAS077445) in the American Institute of Architects, has earned national and international recognition with his straightforward regional designs, integrated into each unique site, that connect people to the natural environment.

He has sought to conserve energy and natural resources while creating healthy built environments by employing sustainable strategies to a wide variety of building types and scales.

SInce its 1984 founding, [Lake|Flato] (http://www.lakeflato.com/) has received national acclaim from clients, peers and the press.

Lake|Flato was named to the 2012 [AD100] (http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/100#ad100-l) , a list of design firms identified by Architectural Digest as “a fellowship of trailblazers and standard-bearers whose work is imaginative, intelligent, and inspiring.”

In 2004, the Lake|Flato earned the National Firm Award, the highest honor bestowed on a firm by the American Institute of Architects.

“Their work is a transparent and powerful affirmation of the proposition that architecture is more than a gravity-defying plan,” said Eugene Hopkins, president of the AIA, at the award presentation. The firm’s work, he continued, is a “public statement of private values that nurtures within the firm a respect for clients as collaborators, enlightened stewardship of site confirmed by a reverent approach to the land, and respect for tradition.”

Four of the firm’s projects have been selected by the AIA as national Top Ten Green Projects, a reflection of the firm’s commitment to sustainable design.

In addition, [Lake|Flato] (http://www.lakeflato.com/) has racked up 43 national design awards and the Texas Medal of the Arts.

Flato and firm partner David Lake have designed high-profile projects including the AT&T Center, which doubles as the home of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and the conversion of the Pearl Brewery into an art and commercial center.

The firm’s diverse portfolio also includes commercial, civic/cultural, hospitality, adaptive reuse, educational and residential projects.

The John Miles Rowlett Lecture was endowed in 1979 by the Texas Architectural Foundation with a grant from the founders of CRS and Mrs. Virginia Rowlett with a goal of bringing speakers of national and international significance to the College of Architecture at Texas A&M. The original firm of CRS was established in 1946 by William W. Caudill and John M. Rowlett, professors of architecture at Texas A&M.

The Rowlett Lecture Series was then created in 1980 to bring speakers to architecture schools at Texas A&M and the University of Texas.

After reviewing proposals by each school for the inaugural lecture, Texas A&M was chosen and subsequently given control over the series by TAF because of its enthusiasm and the quality of the program prepared for the initial lecture series.

For more details and registration information, contact Susie Billings, CRS Center administrative assistant, at 979.847.9357.