Society of Architectural Historians to Present 2021 Change Agent Award to Architect Michael Maltzan

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The Society of Architectural Historians is honored to present the 2021 Change Agent Award to Michael Maltzan, FAIA, founder of Michael Maltzan Architecture, based in Los Angeles. SAH will present the Award to Maltzan during a virtual program on March 4. The Award recognizes Maltzan and his firm for their commitment to creating progressive, transformative experiences that chart new socially responsible trajectories for architecture, urbanism, and the public realm.

Maltzan founded Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc. in 1995, and his firm’s projects cross a wide range of typologies, from cultural institutions to city infrastructure. Maltzan’s notable projects include the Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University, MoMA QNS, Star Apartments, the Pittman Dowell Residence, the new Sixth Street Viaduct, MIT Vassar Street Residential Hall, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery Inuit Art Centre.

Maltzan’s work has gained international acclaim for innovation in both design and construction. The firm and its projects have been recognized with many awards, widely featured in national and international publications, and exhibited in museums worldwide.

Maltzan received an M.Arch from the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, and BFA and B.Arch degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and received the 2016 AIA Los Angeles Gold Medal. He is a recipient of the American Academy of Arts and Letters Architecture Award, and was elected to the National Academy of Design in 2020.

The virtual award program will feature the Change Agent Award presentation to Michael Maltzan by SAH President Victoria Young, chair of the Department of Art History, University of St. Thomas. Michael Maltzan will give a short talk on the firm’s work in housing for the homeless, followed by a conversation between Maltzan and writer and producer Frances Anderton, with questions from the audience.

The SAH Change Agent Award was established in 2019 and honors individuals in architecture, design, conservation, and urbanism for their innovative, paradigm-shifting work. Proceeds from the event support the mission of SAH as well as ongoing restoration of the National Historic Landmark Charnley-Persky House (1891–1892), designed by Adler and Sullivan with Frank Lloyd Wright. 

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Registration is available at sah.org/change-agent-award.