Board of Directors

SPOTLIGHT...

Lawrence Kuper, Associate AIA, grew up in the small town of Independence, Iowa. Indications of its charm are the signs just outside of town boasting “America’s Fame is in our Name.” He remembers that in the fourth grade, he boldly declared he wanted to be an architect. At the time, he also declared he wanted to be a lawyer and a fireman. Instead of following any of these career choices after high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He worked on computer information systems at Andrews Air Force Base and also served in Italy supplying communications support during peace-keeping missions to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

While in the Air Force, Lawrence studied at Anne Arundel Community College, earning an Associate Degree in Information Systems Technology. Knowing that computer science was not what he wanted to do for the rest of his life, he decided to choose a career by studying a semester each of both architecture and engineering. After one semester of architecture, he was hooked. He never bothered with the semester of engineering. In 1995, he graduated Suma Cum Laude with an Associate Degree of Science in Architecture. While at Anne Arundel Community College, Lawrence helped to re-establish the AIAS chapter, reconnecting with AIA Chesapeake Bay, and serving as president. The AIAS offered local tours and seminars on portfolio preparation.

Later that year, Lawrence went with a friend to visit the School of Architecture at the University of Cincinnati. He wasn’t even considering going to Cincinnati, but was so impressed with the program, one of the top three in the country, that he decided immediately to attend UC.

The following year, Lawrence was honorably discharged from the service. After seven years of working full-time in the U.S. Air Force, Lawrence knew he could not return to school for 5 years without working. Cincinnati’s co-op program was ideal. Each quarter alternates between study and work for the six-year program. Lawrence first worked on retail projects in Asia and the U.S. for FRCH, a large Cincinnati-based firm. Later, he worked for a small four-person firm, three principals and himself, in San Francisco. He enjoyed the firm very much, but found San Francisco unaffordable. Finally, since he had enjoyed Maryland during the service, Lawrence decided to give it another try with John A. Ammon + Associates, Inc. of Baltimore, where he remained for several semesters.

After graduation in 2001, Lawrence accepted a full-time position with John A. Ammon + Associates, Inc. He has been involved with small commercial projects, branch banks, health care renovations, and institutional projects. He has worked on a 170,000 square foot addition to the existing facilities for the National Federation of the Blind’s Research and Training Center in South Baltimore. He also has enjoyed the conversion of the former GBMC building on Baltimore Street for Helping Up Mission. This faith-based alcohol and substance abuse recovery program has administrative offices, a multi-purpose hall, and a 50-bed extended living facility for its graduates to maintain a healthy environment while entering employment. Lawrence especially enjoys the great experiences of working in a small firm like John A. Ammon + Associates because it takes great pride in the hands-on, personal service it offers to each design project.

Upon making Baltimore his home, Lawrence became active with AIABaltimore in 2002. He recruited the first AIABaltimore team and helps sustain our involvement in Rebuilding Together Baltimore each spring. This program helps low-income elderly and disabled people with necessary home improvements. Two years ago, Lawrence and other associates turned the reception at our annual Excellence in Design Awards program into a very successful Beaux Arts Ball. The Associates Committee has also conducted annual clothing drives the past two years to assist people served by the South Baltimore Men’s Homeless Center. Along with several directors, affiliates, and Associate Committee members, Lawrence also helped to create the Achieving Registration Together (ART) program this past year.

In 2003, Lawrence served as chair of the Associates Committee, and this year represents all AIABaltimore Associates on our Board of Directors. He has enjoyed the work the associates have done during the past several years to create new programs, and looks forward to increasing associate involvement in the work of the chapter. The major initiative of the committee this year is the creation of Architects Week next fall. Although it will have a modest beginning, the goal is to grow it annually into a series of programs which will have major impact on the public in Baltimore and central Maryland.

Lawrence has grown to appreciate the city and all it has to offer. “When I first moved here, I really didn’t care for Baltimore that much. It was a bit gritty, not enough action. I drove in and out of the city to suburbia not really noticing anything. It took awhile, but after a few months, I realized, ‘Hey this is a pretty cool town.’ It has little pockets of interesting and extraordinary people and places. It’s full of great people, great architecture, and great times.”