On February 7, the AIA announced the selection of Jon Magnusson Hon. AIA as one of eight individuals in the nation accorded Honorary AIA Membership in 2003.
Honorary Membership recognizes individuals for their distinguished service to the profession of architecture or to the arts and sciences allied therewith. AIA Board members R K Stewart FAIA (Gensler, San Francisco) and Norman Strong AIA (Miller|Hull, Seattle) joined AIA Seattle in nominating Jon Magnusson, Chairman/CEO of Seattle-based structural engineering firm Magnusson Klemencic Associates (formerly Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire), for this honor.
Colleagues from near and far and from a variety of disciplines supported the nomination. AIA Seattle President Rena Klein AIA thanks those who provided references for review by the Jury for AIA Honorary Membership.
• Virginia Anderson, Director, Seattle Center
• James M. Glymph FAIA, Frank O. Gehry & Associates
• Barbara Hedges, Director, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Washington
• James O. Jonassen FAIA, NBBJ Design
• Judsen R. Marquardt FAIA, LMN Architects
• Nadine Post, Senior Staff Writer, ENR
Magazine
• Joshua Ramus, Office for Metropolitan Architecture
• Charlie Thornton, Thornton Tomasetti Engineers
In 1994, the AIA recognized another SWMB partner, the late John Skilling Hon. AIA, with this honor. More recently, this recognition has distinguished other contributors well known locally, including Paul Schell Hon. AIA in 1995, Rich Haag FASLA Hon. AIA in 1997, and Barbara Allan Hon. AIA in 1999. His colleagues will celebrate with Jon and other honorees — including Tallman Trask Hon. AIA, admired for his success in delivering quality campus architecture at the University of Washington and more recently at Duke University — at the AIA Convention in San Diego this May. Local celebration will include the Honors Gala, slated for June 7.
The statements below, excerpted from the nomination, describe the unique contributions of Jon D. Magnusson, Hon. AIA.
"As Chairman/CEO of Seattle-based structural engineering firm Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire, Jon leads what many people consider the most creative consulting engineering firm in the US today. His design leadership has created and advanced a portfolio of completed projects in 43 states and 31 countries, recognized by national awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in 11 of the last 16 years among 117 awards for engineering excellence - and credit for 28 "world's firsts" in design. In his native Washington, he served as Principal Structural Engineer on most of the Puget Sound area's newest generation of landmarks, including Bellevue Art Museum, Benaroya Hall, Experience Music Project, Key Arena, Safeco Field, Seahawks Stadium, and the new Seattle Central Library. In 2002, ACEC of Washington named him Washington's "Consulting Engineer of the Year;" in addition, he has taken an active leadership role in national activities of ACEC and the engineering professions.
"In the days and months following the tragedies of 9/11/01, Jon Magnusson helped Americans and the world to understand the miracle of engineering that allowed many to survive the attacks on the World Trade Center. The original engineering masterpiece, and Jon's articulate explanations, exemplify the highest values of design and the design professions. A dedicated partner in practice and ally in design, he has demonstrated outstanding and intelligent leadership in making design comprehensible and accessible, even to our youngest citizens, through his advocacy and his commitment to mentoring. In his active and successful professional life as a world-renowned structural engineer, Jon Magnusson amply demonstrates a true partnership with architects and our organization.
"One can truly say that his brilliance as an engineer has - to a remarkable and unmatched extent - made it possible for architects to realize their designs for some of the Northwest's - and the world's - most significant projects. These include notable structures highly regarded and well used by the public, and recognized by AIA awards at the local and national level - among them Frank O. Gehry's "swoopy" Experience Music Project for Seattle, Steven Holl's striking Bellevue Art Museum, and Benaroya Hall in Seattle which earned an AIA Honor Award for Architecture for LMN Architects. Since he became CEO of Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire at the age 34, the firm has received more engineering excellence awards for innovation and quality from the American Council of Engineering Companies than any other firm in the country.
"Organizationally, Jon Magnusson and his Skilling colleagues offer a shining example of design community engagement. They partner with AIA Seattle and other design and building organizations in numerous endeavors to observe and improve the collaborative process and its results, to advance design education and practice, and to advance public understanding of the work of the design and building community."
Jon Magnusson Hon. AIA
