Texas A&M University once again has a full-time architect on staff to oversee campus building initiatives. L. David Godbey, who has served for 16 years as assistant director in the Physical Plant Department, was recently appointed as interim university architect by president Elsa A. Murano.
Godbey will consult with deans, department heads, and others as needed regarding design review and other aesthetic building issues outlined in Texas A&M’s master plan and recommended by the university’s Council on the Built Environment, said Charles Sippial Sr., vice-president for facilities.
He will also serve on committees for all major university projects managed by the Facilities Planning and Construction Department and will attend design meetings on these projects.
Godbey will also serve as permanent co-chair of the university’s design review board, which ensures that all design projects comply with the intent of the campus master plan.
David Woodcock, professor of architecture at Texas A&M, has been appointed as co-chairman of the review board for a two-year term.
As Godbey performs his duties, he’ll be working with the many buildings designed by College of Architecture Outstanding Alumnus Frederick Giesecke, the founder of the architectural education program at Texas A&M who also served 1927-1939 as the designated architect for what was then the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Campus buildings Giesecke designed include the Academic Building, the Chemistry Building, the Williams Building, Cushing Library and Hart and Walton halls.
