Richard Receives MIT Architecture Alumni Civic Design Award

Dattner Architects’ Principal Richard Dattner FAIA was recently honored with the MIT Architecture Alumni Civic Design Award.

Richard received his Bachelor of Architecture from MIT in 1960, and founded Dattner Architects in 1964. At the 150 Years of Architecture at MIT New York City Reception, J. Meejin Yoon (Department Head & Professor, Department of Architecture, MIT) recognized Richard with a powerful address:

“[Richard’s] family fled Poland in 1940 and moved through Italy and Cuba before landing in the United States… growing up in Buffalo before coming to MIT. He founded his practice just four years after graduation – well known for his playgrounds, and housing projects – he stayed committed to working in the public sector even when federal funds reduced. NY Times architecture critic Herbert Muschamp remarked that Dattner deserves a ticker tape parade up Broadway for his willingness to ‘endure the often brutal process of working for a government agency.’ His practice has built much of the public structures of contemporary New York – everything from public schools across the boroughs, to parks, to sewage treatment plants, transportation stations, and public energy utilities and service buildings.

In his celebration of the everyday, place-making, respect for context, economy of means, concern for the user, and attention to materials and structure, he has worked to make better the world quite literally one playground, one park, and one civic structure at a time.”

Richard’s leadership is invaluable. Always there to teach, encourage, and guide, he is at the forefront of what we do at Dattner Architects. We are proud that MIT has recognized his vision and accomplishments with this award!