Robert and Louise Bethune Award

 

Ted Lownie

 

 

The AIA Buffalo/WNY is pleased to introduce the Robert and Louise Bethune Award, in honor of two of the founders of the Chapter. Recognized as the highest award that AIA Buffalo/WNY can bestow on an architect, the Bethune Award will be presented to an individual in recognition of a lifetime of notable contributions to the profession of architecture through practice, mentorship, and community leadership.

 

As founding partner of Hamilton Houston Lownie Architects, LLC, Ted Lownie has dedicated his distinguished career to “good architecture; past present and future”. A teacher, mentor and architectural ambassador to the public, Mr. Lownie has influenced countless architects and been involved with the preservation of many of Buffalo’s most beloved landmarks.

 

AIA Buffalo/WNY praises Ted Lownie for his lifetime commitment to architectural excellence, historic preservation, architectural education and particularly his significant influence on the architectural community in Western New York through continued mentorship and professional guidance.

 

Hamilton Houston Lownie Architects, LLC (HHL) was founded in 1969. The firm has consistently balanced new building commissions and historic preservation/restoration projects. The firm’s major restoration projects have involved National Historic Landmarks in this region such as the following:

• Kleinhans Music Hall by Eliel and Eero Saarinen.

• The Arts & Crafts’ Roycroft Inn and Copper Shop

• The Darwin D. Martin Estate restoration and reconstruction by Frank Lloyd Wright

• Buffalo & Eric County Historical Society Pan-American Building

 

For the past 25 years, in addition to his full-time practice, Mr. Lownie has taught senior and graduate design studios at the University at Buffalo School of Architecture & Planning. He continues to act as a mentor to many of these students upon graduation. As such, an entire generation of architects practicing in Buffalo have benefited from his wisdom and advice.

 

Mr. Lownie’s generosity extends to the general public as well. He has acted as curator for a number of exhibits that explore architectural concepts and how they relate to the general public. The series, produced in conjunction with the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, began with an exhibit of Buffalo’s City Hall. This was followed by a study of the collaboration between Eliel and Eero Saarinen, as father and son, on the design of Kleinhans Music Hall. In 1999, Mr. Lownie was curator of the “Windows of the Darwin D. Martin House” national exhibit, which began at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center.

 

Through practice, mentorship and civic duty Ted Lownie has greatly enhanced the built environment in Buffalo and Western New York. The architectural community and general public are indebted to his passion for “good architecture” in this region.