AIA Corpus Christi is proud to congratulate
David and Elizabeth Chu Richter
for receiving the Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Honor of Llewellyn W. Pitts FAIA.
The Texas Society of Architects announced their 2021 Honor Awards. These awards recognize exceptional members, firms, individuals, and organizations for outstanding achievements in support of the profession of architecture, the built environment, and quality of life in Texas. Recipients were recognized at the 82nd Annual Conference and Design Expo held in San Antonio on October 7–9. Congratulations to all the honorees!
Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Honor of Llewellyn W. Pitts FAIA
David Richter, FAIA, and Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA
Corpus Christi
Partners in life and work for over four decades, David Richter, FAIA, and Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA, have made an indelible mark on the architectural profession and the state of Texas. Their firm, Richter Architects, is a globally recognized design and sustainability leader whose work reflects intrinsic natural beauty, function, and cultural pride. Together, they’ve dedicated countless hours over 30 years to nonprofit groups, city planning agencies, and local organizations. They have also both served as presidents of their local chapter and the Texas Society of Architects, championing several programs, including The Shape of Texas, Tour des Monuments, and the Consortium for Sustainability. Chu Richter was the 2015 president of the American Institute of Architects; she was the fourth woman, the first woman from Texas, and first Asian American woman to serve in that role.
Article by Monica Cavazos
SEE THE CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER ARTICLE POSTED AUGUST 22, 2021.
History of Award:
This award was established in 1967 to honor Llewellyn W. Pitts, FAIA. Pitts was known for his concern for others and for his commitment to his ideals. He was an influential and dedicated AIA member, a respected architect, and a community leader. This award was established in the hope that the example of his life would inspire others in the courageous practice of these virtues. A native of Alabama, Pitts attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and moved to Beaumont in 1927. He practiced in Beaumont as principal of Pitts, Mebane, Phelps and White, Architects and Engineers, achieving recognition at the local, state, and national level for his work, including an AIA First Honor Award in 1951 for the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Houston. He served as president of the Southeast Texas AIA chapter, president of the Society in 1961, and AIA regional director from 1961 to 1963. Pitts devoted time and expertise to many of Beaumont’s local community endeavors, including the Rotary Club, Round Table Club, and numerous other organizations, making his community a better place in which to live. In recognition of his achievement in design and public service, Pitts was elected to the AIA College of Fellows in 1958.