Sullivan of Payette elevated to FAIA

Kevin Sullivan, FAIA, a principal with Payette has been elevated to the College of the Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) in recognition of his achievements in design. Elevation to fellowship is one of the highest honors an architect can achieve. Not only is it an acknowledgement by one's peers in the profession, it is also recognition of an individual's contributions and commitment to architecture and society on a national level. While there are more than 80,000 total AIA members, only 3,000 members have been distinguished with this honor. Out of the 105 honorees in the 2012 class, Kevin was one of only sixteen architects recognized for design. "Kevin has, for quite some time, been the consummate architect: articulate, giving, passionate about serving the needs of the people who occupy his buildings, considerate and ever attentive to his clients. He is an inspirational leader, a rigorous craftsman and a disciplined manager," said James Collins, Jr., FAIA, LEED AP and president of Payette. "He has succeeded on all the complex and sometimes contradictory requirements that are required of an advanced architect, and yet always the success is driven through his commitment, talent and passion for design." As a national design leader, Kevin's body of work includes seminal healthcare, science and campus planning projects which have been consistently recognized nationally and internationally for their attention to detail, use of color, natural light, social geometry and the integration of the landscape into transformative spaces. His deep understanding of these particular building typologies provides the freedom to craft powerfully expressive designs precisely calibrated to provide stimulating environments for people to learn, discover, care, and heal. Kevin's work has been recognized with more than 20 local and regional AIA awards, and nine national awards including an AIA Institute Honor Award for Interior Architecture, two AIA/Society for College and University Planning Awards for built campus precincts, three AIA/Modern Healthcare Awards and two R&D Magazine Lab of the Year awards. Says Maryann Thompson, FAIA, and principal of Maryann Thompson Architects: "Kevin's work has radically transcended the stereotype in healthcare design, and for that the profession owes him a huge debt. His designs are distinctly sensitive and creative in their formalism, geometry, and color palette. His are healing spaces, full of light and formal and material inspiration. At the same time, they are extremely pragmatic spaces, highly tuned to the dynamics of their program." In addition, he serves the practice of architecture by participating in activities that encourage continual professional development. He has served as the co-chair of the advisory board for the School of Architecture + Design at Virginia Tech, helped to organize the Integrated Design Think Tank held at the Finnish Embassy in Washington, D.C, and functioned as a trustee and building committee member for the Atrium School's relocation and the Beaver Country Day School's new Science Center renovation. Kevin was elected to a three-year term on the Boston Society of Architects Honors and Awards committee from 2008-2010. Kevin attended Virginia Tech for his undergraduate coursework before pursuing a master's degree in architecture from Harvard University. In 1998, Kevin was the recipient of the Boston Society of Architects Young Architects Award for Design. He is currently a partner at Payette, where he has helped to define Payette's exemplary model of practice, is a Studio Director, chairs the design committee, and sits on the firm's board of directors. In May, Kevin will be formally recognized with a Fellowship medal during the Investiture of Fellows Ceremony at the 2012 National AIA Convention and Design Exposition in Washington, DC.