Mackey Mitchell Architects Announces Prestigious Honor

Date Posted: February 13, 2017

Posted In: People,

Mackey Mitchell Architects proudly shares with the community that firm principal and design studio leader, John Burse, has been elevated to the American Institute of Architecture’s prestigious College of Fellows, an honor that only about 3% of the AIA’s membership has received. This year the award was given to 186 members spanning the globe, organized into five categories. John was nominated under the category of “Made the profession of ever-increasing service to society” and is one of only two St. Louis architects to be named this year.

With a passion for community cultivated during his study abroad and internship in the Florence, Italy firm of Cox and Galfione, John joined the HOK Planning Group in 1994 where, as collaborator and design leader, he applied foundational knowledge gained through his studies to town planning and urban design projects and competitions around the world.

Soon after, John began contributing his architectural skills beyond the office to advocate for the cause of thoughtful community design. In 1996 John volunteered for a Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team (RUDAT) for the tornado-damaged town of Lancaster, Texas and led a post-workshop effort to write urban design guidelines for rebuilding its historic core.

In 1997 John joined Mackey Mitchell Architects, and a year later, after participating in numerous pro bono charrettes, joined the movement to revitalize the disinvested and disappearing inner-city neighborhood of Old North St. Louis. Over the next decade, John led and aligned Old North’s stakeholders through early visioning and planning for the area’s future. He worked tirelessly to raise awareness, resources, and momentum – efforts which helped contribute towards a resulting $53 million in investment and reversed decline and population loss. Walking the walk, John renovated a vacant Victorian-era townhouse as his home.

John’s passion for community is now evident in his outstanding, award-winning designs for residence halls, student centers, higher-ed academic, and campus planning. He is a regular speaker at seminars and conferences for organizations such as the Urban Land Institute, Society for College and University Planning, Association of College and University Housing Officers, and the Association of College Unions International.

Founded in 1968, Mackey Mitchell Architects (MMA) has offices in St. Louis, Missouri, Lawrence, Kansas, and Asheville, North Carolina. Led by a team of ten principals, the firm’s staff of 35 includes 21 registered architects. The firm is a proven leader in planning, design, construction, and renovation for higher education, special needs education, workplace, civic, and cultural buildings.

An article detailing the award is available through AIA here.