EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (March 29, 2010) -- Architect Michael Graves of Princeton, N.J., is being inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF).
Graves was among 15 elected to the Class of 2010 by the East Rutherford, N.J.-based NJHOF, with the others including legends and luminaries ranging from jazz great Count Basie to President Woodrow Wilson.
The Class of 2010 was announced by then Governor-elect Chris Christie in December. The impressive list also includes music legends Les Paul and Frankie Valli, feminist Alice Paul and baseball pioneer Larry Doby, as well as movie stars Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon and Danny DeVito and novelists Judy Blume and Phillip Roth. Rounding out the list are track and field superstar Carl Lewis, Supreme Court Justice William Brennan and Wally Schirra, one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts.
The Class of 2010 will be inducted at a gala red carpet ceremony on Sunday, May 2, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, N. J.
"This will be a proud moment for AIA-NJ," said Jason Kliwinski, AIA, LEED AP, president of AIA-NJ. "Michael Graves' election to the New Jersey Hall of Fame is an acknowledgement not only of his own extraordinary achievements, but also of the importance to the public of the profession of architecture. We encourage everyone with an interest in architecture and design to join us in celebrating this event."
The American Institute of Architects (AIA), whose membership includes 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals, is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public's needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. AIA New Jersey, based in Trenton, N. J., which championed Graves' nomination, is the local chapter of AIA. AIA New Jersey has about 2,000 members in six regional sections.
Graves has been in the forefront of architectural design since he founded his practice in Princeton in 1964. He is an influential theorist, as well as a diversified and prolific designer and an esteemed educator. Considered one of the great American architects of current times, he is the recipient of many awards, including the National Medal of Arts and the AIA Gold Medal.
Graves was elected to the NJHOF in the "enterprise" category, which is open to scientists, business leaders, inventors, leaders in medicine, entrepreneurs and philanthropists.
Tickets to the gala ceremony are now available through the New Jersey Performing Arts Center box office (www.njpac.org). Prices range from $30 to $90, depending on seating. Packages that include valet parking, red carpet access, a pre-ceremony reception, prime seating and a post-ceremony party with the inductees are for sale for VIP corporate sponsors and individual donors through the NJHOF Web site at www.njhalloffame.org.
The NJHOF, whose goal is to raise awareness of the historical significance and life-altering nature of the achievements of the residents of New Jersey, is supported entirely by private donations. Corporate sponsors are eligible for the gala VIP packages.
"The previous two ceremonies were terrific shows that were covered by all the major networks," said Don Jay Smith, executive director of the NJHOF. "The living inductees accepted in person, plus there were many surprise guest presenters and great music, including a surprise performance by Bruce Springsteen. We look forward to another terrific celebration in 2010."
About AIA and AIA New Jersey
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public's needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. The organization, which was founded in 1857, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals. AIA New Jersey, based in Trenton, is the local chapter of AIA. In 2000, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. AIA New Jersey has about 2,000 members in six regional sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org.
About the New Jersey Hall of Fame
The New Jersey Hall of Fame was created to honor citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world beyond. The Hall of Fame reinforces the message to children that they can and should strive for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing. By presenting significant and powerful role models and teaching young people about the voting process, the Hall of Fame is a source of learning, inspiration and hope for children. For more information or to make a donation, visit the Web site at www.njhalloffame.org.
About Michael Graves & Associates and Michael Graves Design Group
Michael Graves has been in the forefront of architecture and design since founding his firm in 1964. Today, the practice comprises two firms: Michael Graves & Associates (MGA), which provides master planning, architecture and interior design services, and Michael Graves Design Group (MGDG) which specializes in product design, graphic design, and branding services. Combined, they employ approximately 85 people in offices in Princeton, New Jersey and New York City. The services provided by the two firms are highly integrated and support a continuum among architecture, interiors and furnishings. Michael Graves and the firms have received nearly 200 awards for design excellence, including the National Medal of Arts and the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal, the highest award bestowed upon an individual. In 2007, Michael Graves received the Courage Award from the National Courage Center and the Health and Design Award from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, both awards recognized his outstanding contributions on behalf of people with disabilities and his leadership in the creation of innovative medical devices. www.michaelgraves.com.
Related Stories
| Oct 5, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Award Bronze Winner: Pomeroy Senior Apartments, Chicago, Ill.
The entire interior of the building was renovated, from the first floor lobby and common areas, to the rooftop spaces. The number of living units was reduced from 120 to 104 to allow for more space per unit and comply with current accessibility requirements.
| Oct 5, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Award Bronze Winner: Walsh Group Training and Conference Center, Chicago, Ill.
With its Building Team partners—architect Solomon Cordwell Buenz, structural engineer CS Associates, and M/E engineer McGuire Engineers—Walsh Construction, acting as its own contractor, turned the former automobile showroom and paperboard package facility into a 93,000-sf showcase of sustainable design and construction.
| Oct 5, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Award Silver Winner: 220 Water Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.
The recent rehabilitation of 220 Water Street transforms it from a vacant manufacturing facility to a 134-unit luxury apartment building in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood.
| Oct 5, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Award Silver Winner: Residences at the John Marshall, Richmond, Va.
In April 2010, the Building Team of Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio, Stanley D. Lindsey & Associates, Leppard Johnson & Associates, and Choate Interior Construction restored the 16-story, 310,537-sf building into the Residences at the John Marshall, a new mixed-use facility offering apartments, street-level retail, a catering kitchen, and two restored ballrooms.
| Oct 4, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Silver Winner: Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare, Cleveland, Ohio
The $30 million project resulted in three new theatres in the existing 81,500-sf space and a 44,000-sf contiguous addition: the Allen Theatre, the Second Stage, and the Helen Rosenfeld Lewis Bialosky Lab Theatre.
| Oct 4, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Gold Winner: Wake Forest Biotech Place, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Reconstruction centered on Building 91.1, a historic (1937) five-story former machine shop, with its distinctive façade of glass blocks, many of which were damaged. The Building Team repointed, relocated, or replaced 65,869 glass blocks.
| Oct 4, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Gold Winner: Rice Fergus Miller Office & Studio, Bremerton, Wash.
Rice Fergus Miller bought a vacant and derelict Sears Auto and converted the 30,000 gsf space into the most energy-efficient commercial building in the Pacific Northwest on a construction budget of around $100/sf.
| Oct 4, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Award Platinum Winner: Building 1500, Naval Air Station Pensacola Pensacola, Fla.
The Building Team, led by local firms Caldwell Associates Architects and Greenhut Construction, had to tackle several difficult problems to make the historic building meet current Defense Department standards having to do with anti-terrorism, force protection, blast-proofing, and progressive collapse.
| Oct 4, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Platinum Winner: City Hall, New York, N.Y.
New York's City Hall last received a major renovation nearly a century ago. Four years ago, a Building Team led by construction manager Hill International took on the monumental task of restoring City Hall for another couple of hundred years of active service.
| Oct 4, 2012
BD+C's 29th Annual Reconstruction Awards
Presenting 11 projects that represent the best efforts of distinguished Building Teams in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and renovation and addition projects.
