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Speaker Profile

Abell & Associates Architects, Ltd.

Mr. James Logan Abell, FAIA. LA

I'm fortunate to have a wide and varied background along with specific expertise in urban design, masterplanning, landscape architecture, and building design.

My past career experiences prior to establishing private practice in 1979 involve New Town planning at the Northampton, England New Town that embraced afforable housing, community centers, large scale mixed use developments, and open space /recreation planning.

My current firm of 30 years is distinguished in planning, architecture, and landscape architecture; web portfolio is www.jamesabell.com

I have been a stallwart member of the AIA Urban Design Committee and have been a RUDAT participant and team leader on 7 national RUDATs in TX, OH, UT, AZ, And VT along with 9 local Design Assistance teams [DAT's] in AZ, CA, and UT. I am highly knowledgeable in Work Force Housing and was the national chair of the AIA Affordable Housing task group in 1991. In 1989, I was asked to give Congressional Testimony on behalf of AIA in regard to Affordable and Work force Housing.

Fees Notes

Seasoned public speaker at National AIA Symposia and RUDAT's ; twice asked to present for AIA Grassroots, visiting professor of Architecture, ASU 1984-1999; Frank Lloyd Wright School 1999-2009. Fellow, AIA, 1996. Member of NAAB accreditation committee 2007-2011.

Contact Information

Abell & Associates Architects, Ltd.
Two West Alameda Drive
Tempe, Arizona  85282

Website

Abell & Associates Architects, Ltd.

Degrees & Certifications

Bachelors: Bachelor of Architecture in Architecture from Arizona State University
NCARB Cert. 1978-2009; lic.Arch AZ 1978, CA 1985; lic.Landscape Arch. AZ 1981. Arizona Architects Medal, AIA Arizona 1989.

Speaking Topics

abellfaia

Popular Topics: 
Affordable Housing
Architecture Education
Historic Preservation and Adaptive Use
History of American Architecture
How Design Works
Leadership and the Art of Collaboration
The Design Process as a Problem-Solving Tool
Leadership
Livable Communities
Presentation Skills
Presenting to Clients
Architecture for Education
Committee on Design
Communities by Design
Educator/Practitioner Network
Regional and Urban Design

Special Topics: 
Affordable Housing
Architecture Education
Historic Preservation and Adaptive Use
History of American Architecture
How Design Works
Leadership and the Art of Collaboration
The Design Process as a Problem-Solving Tool
Leadership
Livable Communities
Presentation Skills
Presenting to Clients
Architecture for Education
Committee on Design
Communities by Design
Educator/Practitioner Network
Regional and Urban Design

Other Topics: 
Affordable Housing
Architecture Education
Historic Preservation and Adaptive Use
History of American Architecture
How Design Works
Leadership and the Art of Collaboration
The Design Process as a Problem-Solving Tool
Leadership
Livable Communities
Presentation Skills
Presenting to Clients
Architecture for Education
Committee on Design
Communities by Design
Educator/Practitioner Network
Regional and Urban Design

Other Keywords: 
Humor in public speaking and teaching. Landscape architecture.

Programs Offered

This may be just a sample of what's available, and offers do change. Please always contact the speaker to verify a program's availability and status.

How to create a Local Design Assistance Team for Your Community

Modeled on the AIA's successful 40 year program of Regional / Urban Design Assistance Teams [R/UDAT's], your community may have a local or community concern that can benefit from a locally produced "DAT", a Design Assistance Team. While not regional in scope like the national R/UDAT program, local DATs benefit from years of experience the AIA has developed with it's national urban design outreach program.

Major topics include:
-Problem seeking and problem definition for Community Awareness
-Galvanizing local talent and resources
-Using a local AIA component for support

Cost: $2000 and up
Locations: Offered on an ad hoc, site based on community location.
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Hidden History of Frank Lloyd Wright

Having served as a draftsman /apprentice for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in 1973 during the restoration of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, I met and worked with numerous Wright apprentices that dated back to the 1930's who had so many anecdotes and lessons to share on Wright's amazing body of work.

I have been a speaker on the many different aspects of this American genius, but have also illuminated many of his lesser known qualities, most all credentialed by painstaking research or excerpted from his own autobiography.

Cost: Honorarium is negotiable plus travel expenses
Locations: Site based to your needs.
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