James B. Guthrie, Founder, and President of the Irving J. Gill Foundation

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James Guthrie photoRichard and Joe welcomed James B Guthrie, AIA, founder and president of the Irving J. Gill Foundation (IJGF). Since the foundation’s inception in 2015, it has endeavored to preserve architect Irving J. Gill’s legacy so that the public, generations of architects, allied professions and enthusiasts may learn from and be inspired by Gill’s pioneering advancements in the art and science of design and building.

In 2016, the IJGF presented itself as a strong community collaborator when it led the effort, Irving J. Gill: New Architecture for a Great County. This comprehensive collaboration included 13 non-profit organizations across San Diego County including the San Diego History Center, SOHO, the La Jolla Historical Association and the Coronado Historical Association. Additionally, the first IJGF symposium, Irving J. Gill and the Chicago School, was held October 2016 and gave attendees an opportunity to explore Gill’s influences and evolution amid the beginnings of the modern movement.

The 2nd Annual IJGF Symposium, Transitioning to Modern, will take place on October 28-29, 2017. The event will explore Gill’s career circa 1905-1911, a period in which he revolutionized Southern California architecture, setting the pace for all modern architecture that followed. Held as part of the San Diego chapter of AIA’s month-long Archtoberfest, the foundation’s two-day event is open to the public and will take place at the historic Wednesday Club in San Diego. It includes tours of several of Gill’s designs. Speakers will include Gill scholars (architects, historians, and preservation specialists): James Guthrie, Von Marie May, Sarai Johnson, David Marshal and John Luczak.

The event will also include a special ceremony commemorating Irving J. Gill receiving the American Institute of Architects California Council’s (AIACC) 2017 Maybeck Award! In typical Gill fashion, he is breaking new ground by being the first posthumous California architect to win this award, the highest that can be bestowed upon a California architect. It is quite an honor.

James B. Guthrie was born and raised in Chicago. He completed his Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees at the University of Illinois, Urbana. After completing his architectural degrees, he moved west to California where he finished his architectural apprenticeship and pursued a career in architecture and urban design. Throughout his architectural career, James has always maintained his parallel interests in photography. Now splitting his time between California and the Midwest, he continues pursuing his architectural and photographic interests.

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