Designer Genes

college of architecture and environmental design
cal poly
winter 2012
RISE & SHINE

planning designing constructing
cal poly alUMNI
Designer Genes I
caED 2011 Honored alum David J. Gilmore inherits architect grandfathers DNa
cSU chancellors Headquarters in long Beach (above) a rendering of San Marcos High School in San Marcos (below)
all photos used with the permission of lpa inc. architecture & engineering
t was almost pre-ordained that alumnus David J. Gilmore (B.Arch 76) would wind up an architect, following in his beloved grandfathers footsteps. His grandfather had practiced in Phoenix, Ariz., from the 1920s through the 1940s and had worked for renowned architect Albert Chase McArthur on the historic Arizona Biltmore Hotel, dubbed the Jewel of the Desert. When I visited, my grandmother would take me to look at Frank Lloyd Wright houses and architectural landmarks like the Biltmore, Dave said. Fast forward several decades. Dave is now a principal at LPA Inc., in charge of the San Diego office and the companys K-12 Group. I have multiple titles, he said. I came to work for LPA in August 1980, and Ive been there ever since. Im the poster child for staying at one firm a long time. When he came on board, LPA was doing developer work. A turning point came in the mid-1980s when the firm got involved in public work, diversifying into civic, K-12 and higher education. Under Daves leadership, the K-12 market segment flourished. We design elementary schools, day care centers, full-blown high
Dave Gilmore
schools, he stated. I help grow facility master plans, looking at curriculum. LPA is a pioneer in sustainable design and has been since Dave can remember. We are always looking at sustainability issues as part of our design process, Dave remarked Its in our DNA to be that way. To truly accomplish sustainable design, according to Dave, you have to have an integrated, multidisciplinary practice. And LPA does its staff includes landscape designers and landscape architects; interior designers, lighting designers, and graphic designers; and structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and civil engineers. Thats why we like Cal Poly so much, Dave said. We can get anyone we need. That has been key in developing our integrated practices. You have to know it, understand it and live it. Part of Daves success comes from his openness his desire to not let a good idea go untested. Such a diverse staff of engineers and architects produces thousands of ideas, and Dave doesnt want to lose one of them. That collaborative process is something I think about daily, he said. Dave has also come to a place in his career where he celebrates the success of those he works with. I have learned it is much more rewarding to see a team or an individual succeed. I have grown to see the importance of seeing others excel. A practicing architect for more than 30 years, Dave has no plans to slow down. He wants to see LPA go nationwide, even worldwide. That is my vision, he stated. We are creating something innovative that
4 coNNEctIoNS wINtER 2012
tahoe High School, career tech Building in South lake tahoe (above) cesar chavez Elementary School in long Beach (right)
obviously resonates with our clients. We want to share it with others and have an influence on design; be able to design in a more meaningful way with our clients. His vision and creativity have not gone unnoticed. The College of Architecture and Environmental Design has named Dave its 2011 Honored Alumnus, and Dave takes the award seriously. I understand the responsibility to give back, he said. My wife, Karen, and I have always talked about that. Cal Poly has given our family so much. During his long career, Dave has been witness to vast changes in the profession. The greatest change is the ability to understand our building in a more meaningful way, he stated. We have computerized to the point where we can see how build-
ings expend energy. Its profound. When I first started at LPA, I thought being able to send something by FedEx to arrive the next day was huge. Then came the FAX, then computers and the Internet. But the beautiful thing about Cal Poly is that it hasnt changed fundamentally. The process of engaging the student is the same. Cal Poly is not just about architecture. It gave me the tools to enhance my abil-
ity to problem-solve. I havent seen that elsewhere. Its a very precious thing. Dave is also impressed by the CAEDs project integration. Seeing a structural engineering student talk about architecture and an architecture student talk about structural engineering is amazing. He advises students to never stop learning. You will never know enough. Thats the great thing about the design profession.
collEGE oF aRcHItEctURE aND ENvIRoNMENtal DESIGN cal poly 5

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college of architecture and environmental design

RISE & SHINE

cal poly alUMNI

4 coNNEctIoNS wINtER 2012

collEGE oF aRcHItEctURE aND ENvIRoNMENtal DESIGN cal poly 5

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