Six former students, former prof named to AIA College of Fellows

Six former students and a former faculty member at Texas A&M’s College of Architecture were [elevated] (http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2015/fellows/) to the prestigious American Institute of Architects’ [College of Felllows] (http://network.aia.org/cof/Home/) for achieving a standard of excellence in the architecture profession and for making significant contributions to architecture and society.

Robin Abrams, Paul Homeyer ’85, Ted Kollaja ’84, Gary Owens ’75, Jim Singleton ’66, Kirk Teske ‘76 and David Treviño ’73 will be formally inducted as College of Fellows members at an investiture ceremony during the AIA’s [June 2015 convention] (http://convention.aia.org/event/homepage.aspx) in Atlanta.

“It is an appropriate recognition for this very talented, dedicated group of people,” said Ward Wells, head of the [Department of Architecture] (http://dept.arch.tamu.edu/) . “They are all to be heartily congratulated for reaching and sustaining a very high level of excellence.”

Induction into the College of Fellows is a rare achievement: fewer than 4% of the AIA’s more than 80,000 members have been so honored.

Robin Abrams

Robin Abrams, head of the [School of Architecture] (http://design.ncsu.edu/academics/architecture) at North Carolina State University, was on the Texas A&M College of Architecture faculty from 1995 – 2008.

A registered architect specializing in inner city revitalization, housing and urban design, Abrams has created more than 30 master plans, including a downtown revitalization plan in Port Arthur, Texas, a historic industrial district development plan for Sheffield, England, a downtown urban design plan for Galveston, Texas, a downtown plan for Queretero, Mexico and many more.

She has also consulted on numerous projects in Mexico, Japan and England.

Abrams earned a Doctorate in Landscape from the University of Sheffield, England, a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Urban Studies degree from Northwestern University.

Paul Homeyer ’85

Paul Homeyer, campus architect at [Africa Renewal University] (http://www.africarenewaluniversity.org/#/home) in Uganda, designs buildings for the ARU campus and its sponsoring organization, Africa Renewal Ministries.

Before moving to Uganda with his wife, Shelley, a Presbyterian pastor and former architect, Homeyer was an architect for 23 years at [Gensler] (http://www.gensler.com/) , an international architecture and design, design, planning and consulting firm.

Homeyer, who earned a [Bachelor of Environmental Design] (http://dept.arch.tamu.edu/undergraduate/) degree in 1985, is also helping to implement a master plan for the ARU campus, which administrators envision will host 4,000 students by 2024 from its current count of approximately 250 students.

Ted Kollaja ‘84

In a nearly three-decade career in architecture and interior design, Ted Kollaja, principal at Gensler and an outstanding alumnus of Texas A&M’s College of Architecture, has developed a significant portfolio of large, technically complex projects and advanced workplace strategies.

Among his recent projects are Encana Corporation’s new 2.2 million-square-foot [headquarters] (http://www.stagesconsultants.com/international/encana_corporate_auditorium.php) in Calgary, Devon Energy’s new 2.1 million-square-foot [facility] (http://www.hines.com/property/detail.aspx?id=2187) in Oklahoma City and ExxonMobil’s new 385-acre campus in The Woodlands, Texas. His n past projects include the Southern California Gas tower in Los Angeles and the U.S. headquarters campus for Ericsson in Plano, Texas.

“He is recognized by our general contractor firm and our peers as one of the very best architects to work with on complex projects with intense schedules,” said Jim Thompson, president of JRT Construction in Dallas.

Kollaja, who earned a [Master of Architecture] (http://dept.arch.tamu.edu/graduate/master-architecture/) degree in 1986 and a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree in 1984, was a key contributor to the development and construction of the [Dallas Center for Architecture] (http://dallascfa.com/) and served as president of the American Institute of Architects’ Dallas Chapter and the Dallas Architectural Foundation.

Jim Singleton ‘66

Jim Singleton, an outstanding alumnus of Texas A&M’s College of Architecture, has earned numerous design awards from the [Texas Association of School Administrators and School Boards] (http://www.tasanet.org/) for his designs of new or renovated educational buildings and athletic facilities since he established the Bryan [firm] (http://www.jsarchitects.com/) that bears his name in 1998.

“His work in school design is diverse and amazing, with frequently published architectural works that are extraordinarily significant,” said John Only Greer, Texas A&M professor emeritus of architecture.

In addition to designing more than 200 educational buildings of all sizes and budgets in more than 90 school districts, Singleton’s practice has produced designs for medical buildings, banks, office buildings, restaurants and shopping centers.

His firm’s projects include the [Texas A&M Sports Museum] (http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=205237905) , the [Brazos County Expo Complex] (http://www.brazoscountyexpo.com/) and pro bono projects such as the [Twin City Mission] (http://www.twincitymission.org/) , the [African-American Heritage Museum] (http://brazosvalleyaam.org/) , [Chabad House, the Victory Family Substance Abuse Center and a new ] (http://www.jewishaggies.com/) [high school] (http://209.189.226.235/schools/081504hearnehs.php) in Hearne, Texas, converted from an abandoned Wal-Mart.

Singleton, who earned bachelor’s degrees in architecture and architectural construction in 1966, also helped lead an effort organizing a volunteer consortium of architects and engineers to save downtown Bryan’s iconic [Queen Theater] (http://downtownbryan.com/blog/queen/) .

David Treviño ‘73

David Treviño, senior program manager and architect at the city of Dallas, has provided expertise for numerous municipal city projects since joining the city in 2001, including the [Latino Cultural Center] (http://www.dallasculture.org/latinoCulturalCenter/) , the [Bridge Homeless Assistance Center] (http://www.archdaily.com/115040/the-bridge-homeless-assistance-center-overland-partners/) , several libraries, police and fire rescue stations.

He implements and manages construction projects and develops and applies new software applications for tracking building project progress, work orders and expenditures, among many other responsibilities.

Treviño, who earned a Master of Architecture degree in 1974 and a Bachelor of Environmental Design in 1973, also led the establishment of a group of Texas’ five largest municipalities who are working with research universities to establish best practices and building guidelines for municipal facilities.

“These honors make me acutely aware of my responsibilities to our environment, my profession, my fellow employees and the citizens of Dallas,” said Trevino.

Gary Owens ‘75

Gary Owens, senior principal and senior architectural designer/planner with [FKP Architects] (http://www.fkparchitects.net/) , has created innovative designs of full-service medical facilities, acute-care hospitals, children’s hospitals, cancer centers, ambulatory care facilities and medical/professional office buildings in his 30-year career.

Responsible for the delivery of architectural services that include master planning, facility analysis, programming, medical planning and architectural and interior design, Owens provides creative and functional solutions for clients and provides leadership and vision to large design teams.

His notable projects include the [LeBonheur Children’s Hospital] (http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/ArticleEmail.aspx?id=50721) in Memphis and Golisano Children’s Hospital Emergency Center in Naples, Fla.

Owens earned a Master of Architecture degree in 1976 and a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree in 1975.

Kirk Teske ‘76

Kirk Teske, principal at HKS Inc., has helped lead many of the firm’s highest-profile and pioneering design projects.

As the firm’s chief operations and sustainability officer, Teske established the firm’s sustainability consulting practice, which has led to more than 75 [Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design] (http://www.usgbc.org/LEED) building certifications.

Before that, he focused on leadership roles in corporate campus and resort hotel design projects. In an article in Walls & Ceilings magazine, Teske said that the [Sabre Holdings Corporate Headquarters] (http://www.sdiconsulting.com/portfolio/corporate/sabre-profile.html) in Southlake, Texas, HKS’ first LEED project, is the best example of his work and by far the most pioneering project in which he participated.

Teske, who earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree in 1983, has also served as president of AIA Dallas, board member of the Dallas Center for Architecture, founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council’s North Texas Chapter and chairman of AIA Dallas’ Committee on the Environment.