Thomas McKittrick ’91, former head of the Department of Architecture at Texas A&M University and an outstanding alumnus of the Texas A&M College of Architecture, was recently named the 2008 recipient of the American Institute of Architects’ prestigious 2008 Edward C. Kemper Award.
The Kemper Award, named in honor of the AIA’s first executive director, recognizes individuals who contribute significantly to the profession of architecture through service to the AIA.
“On the leading edge of many emerging industry trends,” McKittrick played an integral leadership role in the AIA, offering unique insight on “issues such as continuing education, globalization, ethics, the linking of education and practice, improving architectural education, and reinforcing the profession’s design leadership,” wrote Ken L. Ross, FAIA, regional director of Texas AIA, in the nomination letter he penned on McKittrick’s behalf.
After 28 years in professional practice, McKittrick joined the Department of Architecture at Texas A&M University in 1990 as the its first Mid-Career Fellow. While teaching at Texas A&M, he earned a master’s degree in 1991 at age 57, received a tenured faculty appointment, and was appointed coordinator of the department’s Master of Architecture degree program.
“It has given me great satisfaction to successfully transition from practice to teaching, and to have been a mentor to former students and employees who have become successful architects,” said McKittrick, who currently holds the title of professor emeritus.
In receiving the award, he noted his gratitude to his many colleagues who offered him direction and support throughout the years, especially Anderson Todd, Charles Lawrence, John Only Greer, David Woodcock and Barry Moore. He also shared his pride in his daughter, Kimberly, who has become a successful architect.
McKittrick earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Rice University in 1957. After a stint in the U.S. Navy and an architectural apprenticeship, he co-founded McKittrick Drennan & Richardson, Architects in 1963. The firm, which became widely known for its design of academic and institutional buildings, underwent several iterations over the ensuing years. Five years after its founding, with a new partner the firm’s name changed to McKittrick Drennan Richardson & Wallace. Later, Drennan withdrew and McKittrick Richardson & Wallace Architects was born.
In 1979, for his contributions to the profession the AIA elevated McKittrick to its College of Fellows.
In 1984, as president of the Texas Society of Architects, McKittrick initiated the program, “Let’s Grow … Better!” The program, designed to develop new thinking on growth issues, linked communities in each of the 17 Texas AIA chapters with a school of architecture. The program morphed into a student design planning session examining an urban issue in the host city of TSA’s annual meeting.
During his more than 40 years of service to the AIA, McKittrick has served as president of the Houston Chapter of the AIA in 1981, president of the Texas Society of Architects in 1984, national board member from 1989-1991 and vice president of the AIA national component in 1991.
“He advocated for and incorporated sustainability and active community planning involvement long before that became de rigueur for the profession,” wrote David Lancaster, TSA executive vice president, in support of McKittrick’s nomination. McKittrick “not only encouraged his students to pursue these goals passionately,” he continued, “he set a personal example first, then ensured that changes to architectural curricula were included as a result of the 2003 National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Validation Conference.”
In 1995, McKittrick and former AIA president Jack McGinty, FAIA, co-authored a broader definition of the practice of architecture that was adopted by the Texas Legislature.
Throughout his career, McKittrick has focused on concerns related to professional and continuing education. Highlights include:
McKittrick has also served as alderman and mayor of his village, as a deacon and elder in his church, as president of his Rotary Club and president of the Association of Rice University Alumni. He recently led the Rice Class of ’56 in raising $1.6 million for student scholarships. In 1992, he received the Llewellyn W. Pitts Award, the highest honor of the Texas Society of Architects.
This spring, as a visiting professor, McKittrick is co-teaching a fifth-year comprehensive design studio at the University of Houston.
