tDETROIT — SmithGroupJJR is pleased to announce that Paul Urbanek, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, vice president, has been elevated to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows. This tribute reflects Urbanek’s significant contributions to the profession of architecture, the education of future architects, and his long-standing commitment to the AIA.
tAIA’s membership totals over 80,000, with fewer than 2,700 receiving the prestigious distinction of fellowship or honorary fellowship. Urbanek will be recognized at an investiture ceremony at AIA’s National Convention and Design Expo, to be held May 17, 2012 in Washington, DC.
tSince joining SmithGroupJJR in 2000, Urbanek has led design efforts for many of the firm’s most notable and award-winning projects. Significant works include the University of Louisville Clinical & Translational Research Building, Louisville, Ky.; Indian Springs Metropark Environmental Discovery Center, White Lake, Mich.; renovation and expansion of Cranbrook Art Museum & Collections Building, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; and First Automotive Works 4.5 million-square foot Research & Development Center, Changchun, China.
tUrbanek is currently design principal for Oakland University’s new 128,000-gsf Engineering Center in Rochester, Mich.; Michigan State University’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams in East Lansing, Mich.; and an international design competition for a new technology park in Beijing, China.
tUrbanek was also a lead designer for the Memorial at Cameron, a tribute to be erected in Cameron, La. commemorating the 550 lives lost during Hurricane Audrey in 1957. In February 2012, the project was honored by ARCHITECT magazine as winner of a prestigious Progressive Architecture (P/A) Award.
tUrbanek earned a bachelor of science in architecture and a bachelor of architecture from Lawrence Technological University, and was recognized as the school’s 2011 Distinguished Architectural Alumni. He is a registered architect in Michigan and a LEED accredited professional.
tUrbanek resides in Royal Oak, Mich.
