Barry Alan Yoakum, FAIA, has fostered a collaborative spirit rooted in actionable, sustainable design for over four decades. As partner of archimania, with founding partner Todd Walker, FAIA and a host of archimaniacs, he has helped advance the practice to national prominence. archimania has been ranked as high as 8th nationally in design via the ARCHITECT Magazine’s ARCHITECT 50 and is the most award winning firm in the history of Tennessee. archimania is also a leader in sustainability as it realized the world’s first two dual certified Zero Energy and Zero Carbon buildings a full decade early of the AIA 2030 Challenge. Both certified by ILFI and both AIA COTE Top Ten Award Winners. Barry was elevated to Fellowship in 2010 for his contributions in design. He received the 2022 William Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award for the Profession of Architecture, AIA Tennessee’s highest individual award.
DESIGN
He is a recognized leader in the field of collaborative design that focuses on design excellence by blurring the line between high design and high performance. His awards, publications, and accolades cover a broad spectrum of recognition that include international, national, regional, state, and local entities. He has spent over half of his career as a partner of archimania in Memphis, Tennessee with founding partner, Todd Walker, FAIA, Principal Matt Seltzer, AIA and countless archimaniacs. They have forged a tour de force in the world of architecture with an emphasis on seeking to design spaces and places that are authentic. An authentic found through an equitable design process, from overcoming a locale’s bias of historic style, by realizing good design though humble means, and lastly, by positively impacting communities, culture and the environment at all scales.
PERFORMANCE
Barry’s accomplishments have been diverse and many. Each rooted in actionable, sustainable design from his earliest days at the University of Tennessee which began in 1974 where his commitment to the environment coincided with the ending of the worlds’ first energy crisis. This outlier has informed his work as he seeks reconciliation of climate change through the built environment. His body of work and its positive impact on accelerating a variety of projects, typologies, and client initiatives illustrates a commitment to the pursuit of high design and high performance. It demonstrates a passion for betterment of the many within a professional narrative that elevates humble means, materiality, form, detailing, and light. archimania was an early adopter of the AIA 2030 Challenge under Barry’s leadership. archimania has realized the world’s first two dual Zero Energy & Zero Carbon certified buildings. Both were completed a full decade early of the AIA 2030 Challenge. Both have received an AIA COTE Top Ten Award on Earth Day, coincidentally Barry’s birthday.
PROFESSION
Recognizing the value of engaging in a dialogue with peers, the community and future generations of design professionals, Barry has served as architect, author, educator, juror, mentor, speaker, and community board member. He has lectured at over a hundred forums presented by the AIA, The Architect’s Newspaper, ASLA, NACORE, PSMJ Resources, SMPS, ULI, and USGBC. This includes lecturing at an AIA National Convention, numerous AIA regional, state, and local conventions, and an AIA YAF/YCF National Conference. He has been a juror for many design award programs across the country. Barry has served on a variety of AIA Tennessee and AIA Memphis committees. He authored PSMJ’s Guide to Successful Alliances for A/E/C Firms Design Alliances, and has served on community boards including: Chair of Big Brothers of Greater Memphis, Chair of Memphis in May International, and Vice Chair of Hattiloo Theatre. Barry was a Charter Member of the University for Tennessee College of Architecture and Design Board of Advisors for many years.
Please reserve a spot through the Ticket Link
Wednesday, February 1 at 12:00pm
Clemson Design Center Charleston, 202 701 East Bay Street