Qualifies for Climate Action Continuing Education credits
Note: A current passport is required for this experiential learning session.
9 ConEd Learning Hours
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
As an architect, you understand the profound impact architecture has on a city's identity, culture, and history. During this experiential learning session, we will delve into an American city that stands as a testament to architectural innovation and preservation. Buffalo, New York, offers a unique blend of historical landmarks and modern design that continues to inspire architects and designers worldwide.
Why Buffalo? The city's architectural landscape is a rich tapestry woven with the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, H.H. Richardson, and many others who have left an indelible mark on the city. From the pioneering skyscraper design of the Guaranty Building to the Romanesque grandeur of the Richardson Olmsted Campus, Buffalo's buildings tell stories of ambition, innovation, and artistic mastery.
Learning Objectives
- Embark on this architectural journey and gain new insights into how historical and contemporary designs coalesce to shape the urban fabric of Buffalo's architectural landscape.
- Learn about its values of preservation, innovation, and sustainability.
- Engage with Buffalo's architectural narrative through stops that highlight the city's cultural buildings, historic districts, and the beautifully planned landscapes.
- Reflect on the shared history and future possibilities of architectural practice across borders.
Paul McDonnell
Past AIA Buffalo/WNY President
For 32 years, Paul McDonnell served the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Public Schools as an architect working to ensure that Buffalo’s historic civic buildings were preserved and its new ones were well designed, high quality, and enduring. A native and life-long resident of Buffalo, Paul’s career has been shaped by the love of his city, its architecture, and its history. Paul graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with degrees in both Environmental Design and Architecture. In his tenure with the Buffalo Board of Education facilities department, he would be responsible for maintaining the district’s school buildings. His most important role was with the Joint School Reconstruction Program (JSCB), a $1.4 billion project that completely renovated 48 schools over a 15-year period to help ensure Buffalo’s schools were the finest learning environments in New York State while still maintaining their historic and cultural integrity. The project would ultimately be recognized as the largest historic preservation and public works project Buffalo has ever seen.
Paul served as the chair of the Buffalo Preservation Board for 11 years is a co-founder and president of the Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture, and Culture–the region’s most important advocacy organization working to preserve Buffalo’s architecture. The Campaign developed the most respected architecture tour program in western New York and in 2007 began offering tours on the “Open Air Autobus.” In 2011, he was elected president of the Buffalo/WNY chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and in 2023 he was elected president AIA/ New York State representing 9,000 NYS architects.
Retired from the Buffalo Schools, Paul continues to speak about the impact good architecture has on students, residents, visitors, and the the region region with community groups, preservationists, architects, and educators.