Larry Barr Named AIA Fellow

Larry R. Barr, FAIA, president of Quinn Evans Architects, has been named a fellow with the American Institute of Architects. A national leader in the transformation of iconic American buildings, Barr’s fellowship recognizes his role in advancing the standards of architectural preservation, restoration, and adaptive use of historic properties.

Barr has served as president of Quinn Evans Architects since 2011, and has been with the firm since 1988. He has overseen many of the firm’s signature projects in Washington, D.C., including the award-winning modernization of the National Academy of Sciences on the National Mall, four major theater renovation projects at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, renovation of the Robert Vance Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, and modernization of the Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Currently, Barr is leading the firm’s multidisciplinary team to modernize the National Air and Space Museum, one of the largest museum renovation projects in history.

Under Barr’s leadership, Quinn Evans Architects has more than doubled in size, from 60 employees to 140, with firm ownership by women and minorities also increasing substantially. Revenue has tripled during his tenure as president. With the recent acquisition of prominent design firm Cho Benn Holback + Associates, Quinn Evans Architects now has offices in Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan; and Madison, Wisconsin.

Barr is also well known for his commitment to the architectural profession and the development of young professionals. In addition to his own leadership roles with the AIA, he has supported the rise of Carl Elefante, FAIA, a Quinn Evans Architects principal, to national president of the AIA for 2018. Several staff members also hold leadership positions with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the Association for Preservation Technology International (APT). Six staff members have taken part in the DC|AIA Christopher Kelly Leadership Program, and Ryan McEnroe, AIA, ASLA, LEED AP, an associate with the firm, was recently recognized with the AIA’s 2018 Young Architects Award. Quinn Evans Architects was also the recipient of the AIA’s 2015-2018 Intern Development Program Firm Award.

Barr’s extensive portfolio of projects also includes the development of a breakthrough Historic Building Information Management (HBIM) program for Mount Vernon; restoration of the historic Sherman Building in Washington, D.C.; design of the new North Carolina History Center in New Bern, N.C.; renovation of the Peabody Institute and the Peabody Library at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md.; modernization of the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.; and renovation of the historic Wayne County Courthouse in Detroit. Barr has been recognized with more than 40 design awards for his work.

“Larry’s vision and creativity have helped preserve some of the country’s most iconic public buildings,” says noted architect and architectural specifications expert David Metzger, FAIA, FCSI, who sponsored Barr’s nomination. “These buildings serve as national models for the thoughtful renovation of historic buildings. He has attained national prominence for his creativity and compelling design concepts for the renovation and rehabilitation of historically significant buildings, including 19 National Historic Landmarks.”

About Quinn Evans Architects

Established in 1984, Quinn Evans Architects specializes in architecture, planning, urban revitalization, and historic preservation, including sustainable preservation and stewardship. The firm has more than 140 professionals in offices in Washington, D.C.; Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan; Madison, Wisconsin; and Baltimore, Maryland. Quinn Evans Architects specializes in cultural, institutional, commercial, and educational projects, including museums, historic parks, theaters, mixed-use buildings, schools and campus facilities, libraries, and civic landmarks.

Current projects include the modernization of the National Air and Space Museum and the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.; renovation of the Old City Hall in Richmond, Va.; upgrades to the Cincinnati Art Museum; modernization of the historic Southeast Library in Minneapolis, Minn.; the transformation of historic space at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn into the new Davidson-Gearson Modern Glass Gallery; and several projects in Detroit, including the restoration of the historic Wurlitzer Building, renovation of 985 Michigan Avenue for the U.S. General Services Administration, and the adaptive reuse of the historic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center. Quinn Evans Architects has also recently been selected to serve as associate architect on Beatty Development Group’s team for Amtrak’s redevelopment of Baltimore Penn Station. For more information, visit www.quinnevans.com.