The American Institute of Architects has awarded the AIA Gold Medal 2024 to David Lake and Ted Flato, cofounders of Austin-based firm Lake|Flato. One the organization’s highest honors, the award recognizes individuals whose work has had a lasting impact on the theory and practice of architecture.
Leading their namesake studio for more than 40 years, Lake and Flato have redefined the discourse on sustainability, social responsibility, and environmental consciousness. Together, the pair has championed a vision of connecting people with nature through restorative and sustainable design strategies. Their firm—which has earned the 15 COTE (Committee on the Environment) Top 10 Awards—continues to put sustainability at the forefront of its philosophy, prioritizing healthier and more inclusive spaces inspired by the natural environment.
Lake, an Austin native, founded Lake|Flato alongside Flato in 1984. Both architects have emerged as vocal proponents of urban development, leaving their mark on cities across Texas and beyond. Flato has garnered acclaim for his straightforward designs that skillfully leverage each unique site and for connecting people with their natural surroundings.
Beyond their architectural achievements, Lake and Flato’s impact extends into environmental advocacy. They have helped protect and preserve accessibility to 50,000 acres of land in Texas, where less than four percent of land is publicly available, and have played a role in conserving 35,000 acres of critical habitats from West Virginia to the Florida Everglades.
Lake|Flato designed the four-building complex that makes up Bunkhouse Group’s Hotel Magdalena in Austin
The Marine Education Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi—another Lake|Flato project—comprises a cluster of six buildings
More from HD:
Registration is Open for HD Expo + Conference 2024
Is Hotel Development in San Francisco Beginning to Rebound?
What I’ve Learned Podcast: Iain Watson, David Collins Studio
