James Cutler FAIA

AIA Seattle Medal of Honor 2012
James Cutler FAIA (born 1949 Wilkes-Barre; BA 1971, MArch 1973  U. of Pennsylvania, Louis I. Kahn Studio 1974; since 1977 principal Cutler Anderson Architects ((formerly James Cutler Architects), Bainbridge Island. ) 
Early in his career, he worked as a Designer/Draftsman with the Wilkes-Barre firm of Bohlin & Powell; in Seattle as a Designer with George R. Bartholick 1974-75; and as a Job Captain with TRA 1975-76.

For his fellow architects as well as the public who have come to know his work through its extensive publication, Jim Cutler's work speaks to the fundamentals of "Northwest architecture:" design that respects nature and place, that honors its materials, that brings composure and speaks to the spirit. His 1994 elevation to the AIA College of Fellows recognized the national significance of his design contributions in advancing the profession.

Over his nearly three decades as a practice leader, Jim's projects have touched upon environmental issues significant to the Northwest and the nation. The firm has received six AIA national Honor Awards, and more than 30 other national and regional awards.  Current and recent projects include the Bill Gates residence in Medina, residences in Mallorca, Spain, California's Napa Valley, the Hudson River Valley in New York, the Big Island of Hawaii, commercial and mixed use projects on Bainbridge Island, and the Capitol Hill Branch Library in Seattle (with Johnston Architecture), which opened May 2003.

As an educator and critic, Jim has influenced other design professionals as well as students to exercise a higher awareness of their physical and spiritual relationship to the land.  Appointments include critic and design instruction at the University of Pennsylvania (1973-74), University of Washington (1978-87), UC Berkeley (Friedman Professorship 1999), Harvard University GSD (1993), the Pietro Belluschi Distinguished Visiting Professorship at the University of Oregon (1999), University of Oklahoma (Bruce Goff Chair of Creative Architecture 2002), and Artist in Residence at Dartmouth College (2004).  He has also put his ideas into practice as a cofounder of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust (1988).  Most recently [2004], Cutler Anderson Architects has worked with Lindal Cedar Homes to design affordable homes based on a modular system.

Edward Weinstein FAIA sponsored his nomination.

Publications:
*Cutler Anderson  Architects:  The Houses
*Searching for True:  Cutler Anderson Architects