Raj Barr-Kumar

Raj Barr-Kumar FAIA FRIBA, also known as Raj Barr, is an American architect, professor of architecture and was the 1997 national president of the American Institute of Architects.[3][4]

Raj Barr-Kumar
Born
Colombo, British Ceylon
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Ceylon, University of London, University of Kansas, University of Hawaii
OccupationArchitect
AwardsRoyal Architecture Institute of Canada
1997- Honorary Fellowship

Japan Institute of Architects

1997- Honorary Fellowship

Sri Lanka Foundation:

2008- Exceptional Achievement for Sustainable Design and Green Architecture[1]
2014- Lifetime Achievement Award[2]
PracticeBARR Group International, LLC

Personal life and education

Raj Barr was born in Colombo, British Ceylon, to Alexander Hamilton Barr-Kumarakulasinghe and Francesca Thanga-Ranee Winslow.[5] The Barr-Kumarakulasinghe family of Jaffna has a history as a family of distinguished professionals, and has long been recognized as "direct descendants of the ancient kings of Jaffna."[6][7] Raj was educated at the Royal Preparatory School and the Royal College, Colombo where he won the Steward Panel Prize and served as editor of the College Magazine and Prefect.

Raj earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and RIBA Part I from the University of Ceylon in 1971. He earned RIBA Part II and a Graduate Diploma in Architecture and Development Planning from the Bartlett School of Architecture at the University of London in 1974. Awarded the Ewart Memorial Scholarship for his performance at the University of London, he earned a Master of Architecture in Urban Design summa cum laude from the University of Kansas in 1975. He apparently earned a Doctorate of Architecture (ArchD.)in Sustainable Design summa cum laude from the University of Hawaii in 2003.[8]

Career

Architect

Raj began his architectural career in Ceylon working with the firm Panditaratna & Adithya on the Kalutara Bodhiya Temple prior to attending architecture school. He also worked with Geoffrey Bawa RIBA on the Triton Hotel, Valentine Gunasekara RIBA on the Tangalle Bay Hotel and the Catholic Chapel at Tewatte, and Justin Samarasekera RIBA on various projects throughout the county from 1966-71.[9]

After graduating from the University of Ceylon in 1971 Raj moved to Hong Kong and worked with Jon Prescott RIBA on plans for Macau New Town and renovations to the historic Teatro Dom Pedro V. Raj worked for the N-E Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board on York District General Hospital in the UK in 1972. He joined Llewelyn-Davies Associates in 1973 and worked on The Military Hospital in Baghdad, the Doha Hotel in Qatar, and the Manama Conference Center in Bahrein.

Moving to Kansas City in 1974, Raj worked on the Hyatt Regency Hotel with Patty Berkebile Nelson Associates, The Menninger Foundation sanatorium in Topeka with Kiene & Bradley Associates, and on Rogers New Town, Arkansas with Seligson Associates.

As Senior Designer at Barrett Daffin and Carlin in Tallahassee, Florida, he designed the Suwannee River Water Management District HQ Building in 1979.[9]

In 1981 Raj founded Barr-Kumar Architects Engineers PC and BARR Group International, LLC, commercial and residential architecture and engineering firms based in Washington, D.C. He is the sole proprietor and sole employee of both entities.


Practice Experience

Practice experience includes Cortlandt Medical Center New York, Eco Maya Condominiums in Mexico, Altos Escondidos Eco Development in Panama, Aleid Eco Resort in Saudi Arabia, World Bank HQ, Hilton, Hyatt Regency and Kimpton Hotels; Rasika, Bibiana, Bombay Club and Ardeo Restaurants; the Washington National Cathedral, Masjid Noor and Jain Temple; Trinidad & Tobago, Sri Lanka and Malta Embassies; and numerous custom homes.


Educator

Raj's career as an educator began at the University of Kansas in 1975 where he served as an Assistant Professor until 1979. He then served as Director and Tenured Associate Professor of the Florida Architecture Center in Washington, D.C. from 1979-84.

Raj served as an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at Howard University from 1986–94, and was named Emens Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ball State University in 1998. He joined the faculty at The Catholic University of America in 2003 and introduced the first course in sustainability on campus.[10] Raj served as Professor of Practice in the School of Architecture & Planning from 2007-12. After his departure from Catholic University, he has served as an adjunct professor of architecture at the University of the District

of Columbia since 2017.

Advocate & volunteer

Throughout his career as both a practitioner and an educator Raj has attempted to publicly champion the principles of sustainable design[11][12] as well as innovative approaches to addressing social problems including homelessness.[13]

In 1996, Raj was nationally elected to serve as the 1997 President of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and became the first person of color to lead the organization in its 140-year history.[9]

During his tenure, Raj pioneered the annual AIA Legacy Project at the organization's national convention in New Orleans. He called for every AIA National Convention to leave improvements to the built environment of the host city. The first Legacy Project, an $11.5 million, 117,000 sf facility for New Orleans's homeless was called, "A model of cooperation and achievement." The project has been replicated in every host city since 1997, improving schools, community centers, housing, and hospitals.[14]

Honors and Awards
Fellowships
  • Fellow, American Institute of Architects (1993)
  • Fellow, Royal Institute of British Architects 2018
  • Fellow, Bahamas Institute of Architects (1996)
  • Exceptional Achievement, Award For Green Architecture and Sustainable Design
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, SL Foundation


Books
  • Green Architecture: Strategies for Sustainable Design - ISBN 0-9663311-6-8 (2003)
  • Sustainable Design Strategies - ISBN 978-0-578-03857-5 (2010)
  • Fire Water Sound Motion: Re-thinking Mechanical Systems - ISBN 978-0-578-06907-4 (2011)

Articles & papers
  • "The Slum Problem - Is Re-Housing the Answer?" Sunday Times of Ceylon, date month 1968, p. 23
  • "Hong Kong High Rise." Asia Magazine, date month 1971, p. 19

    References
    1. , Asian Tribune, November 17, 2008, Retrieved 2015-06-17
    2. , Embassy of Sri Lanka Washington D.C.: News, December 2, 2014, Retrieved 2015-06-17
    3. American Institute of Architects: History
    4. , The Architect: The Journal of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, October 2011, Retrieved 2015-06-17
    5. Ceylon Tamils: Dr Raj Barr
    6. Lethbridge, Roper. The Golden Book of India: A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of the Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles, and Other Personages, Titled or Deco. Nabu Press, 2012. Print.
    7. Van Sanden, J.C. The Chieftains of Ceylon. 1936. Print.
    8. BARR International: About Us
    9. Vosbeck, R. Randall. Legacy of Leadership: The Presidents of the American Institute of Architects. The American Institute of Architects, 2008. Print.
    10. Pelli, César. "Attention: Topaz Medallion Jury." Letter to Members of the Jury. 20 Oct. 2008. MS. 1056 Chapel Street, New Haven, Connecticut. Print.
    11. Lee, Catherine. , Inside CUA, August 27, 2007, Retrieved 2015-06-13
    12. Mendis, Cheranka. , Daily FT, August 30, 2012, Retrieved 2015-06-17
    13. Gardner, Marilyn. , The Christian Science Monitor, March 2, 1990, Retrieved 2015-06-13
    14. Adams, Eric. "A Great First Step." AIArchitect, May 1997: p.19. Print.
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