Our rich alumni body is our single most valuable asset. Here are a few stories to illustrate the remarkable generosity of College of Architecture alumni.
The Reinsch-Pierce Family - Bringing Our Work to the Community
The College of Architecture’s School of Music —particularly its new Center for Music Technology—took center stage at the January 29 dedication of the newly renovated and renamed Reinsch-Pierce Family Auditorium on the ground floor of the East Architecture Building.
“This building was constructed in 1952, and the renovation of this auditorium is the ideal way to illustrate the rebirth of the College of Architecture and its five new schools,” said College Dean Alan H. Balfour in welcoming the more than 100 guests who attended the dedication. “This is the kind of gift that lets us bring our creative work to the community, and there’s no better way to see that work than in performance.”
The event honored the generosity of 96-year-old Georgia native Dolores G. Reinsch, who four years ago made a seven-figure commitment to support renovation and construction of the College’s facilities. Although she was not able to attend the dedication, Mrs. Reinsch was represented by her daughter, Lola C. Reinsch (Pierce), and her son-in-law, J. Almont “Al” Pierce, BS 1958, B ARCH 1959, who reside in McLean, Virginia.
“I love the music innovations that are happening in the College of Architecture,” said Lola Reinsch. “My mom taught piano years ago, and we all have music in our hearts. We’re so excited about the potential of these programs and the role that this auditorium can play in bringing this work to a wider audience.”
“Designed by former architecture professor and director P. M. Heffernan, the 1952 Architecture Building is emblematic of assertive modernism, and is perhaps Heffernan’s most noteworthy modernist design on campus,” said Balfour. “Many hours were spent researching photographs, changes, original specifications, and manufacturers in the effort to evoke the original design—one distinctive design element being the sweeping wood panel walls. With the spirit of the original 1952 design as a touchstone, the overlay of current technological requirements was incorporated in the recomposition of the auditorium.”
Now that the auditorium renovation is complete, plans are being formulated to use a portion of the Reinsch gift to support an extensive renovation of the Hinman Research Building.
Read “Renovation will Preserve Integrity of Hinman Research Building”
James Oliver – Promoting Design Instruction Across All Disciplines
Georgia Tech has a history of leadership in blending the traditional academic disciplines to solve difficult problems and advance the frontiers of knowledge. A recent commitment from James L. Oliver II (ID 1965, ME 1967) will further this vital work by establishing an endowment for the unrestricted support of an Interdisciplinary Design faculty member to be jointly appointed by the deans of the Colleges of Architecture and Engineering, with a mandate to promote design education across disciplines.
“With a background in both design and engineering, I firmly believe that design is an ability that can and should be taught,” said Oliver. “Georgia Tech already teaches the analytical, engineering, and management skills that students need to become successful professionals, but I wanted to create a new focus on the need for instruction in design across all disciplines. Understanding and training in the design process will help Georgia Tech graduates perform better by having an ability to design in addition to analyzing and managing. I believe good design is important not only in products and buildings, but also in software, distribution systems, airplanes, customer service systems, new chemicals, infrastructure building, energy conservation and creation, etc.”
Read full announcement.
Read about Wayne Li, Oliver Professor of Practice in Design and Engineering.
George Heery - "I will. Will you?"
George Heery, FAIA, RIBA, FCMAA (B Arch 1951) is Chairman & CEO of Brookwood Group. A lifetime champion of construction program management, his ideas spawned in the mid-1970s evolved to embrace real estate and "strategic facilities planning" as well as "bridging," a method designed to reduce risks, costs, and post-construction problems for owners. Heery commented in a recent alumni newsletter:
“Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture helped me as it has helped so many of you. It shaped the way I think. It enabled me to become an architect as well as a program manager. I continue to value the teachers who challenged and guided me, and, of course, I cherish the friends I made in studio as well as the fellow alums with whom I have collaborated and have as friends.
I draw on my Tech experience daily, and I want to show my appreciation. I have included the College of Architecture in my estate plans and ask you to consider the same. Let Tech know what you would like to do. They can get you stated. The importance is not in the figt’s size, but in the statement it carries. I will. Will You?"