Gary Allen, the architect behind Qualcomm Stadium and recipient of the AIA San Diego Lifetime Achievement Award, passed away early morning of March 19, 2014. At the moment, there is no service planned for Mr. Allen.
Read more about his work and life:
A New York native, Gary Allen’s father, mother, and uncle were practicing architects. Before following in their footsteps, he was called to duty during the Korean Conflict. Honorably discharged in 1955, Gary received his architectural degree from Pratt Institute in 1958, studying under Isamu Noguchi. His career started as an intern in the New York City offices of Philip Johnson.
Having the ability to produce to Johnson’s satisfaction landed Gary, as Mr. Johnson’s right-hand-man, in meetings with architectural luminaries Eero Saarinen, Paul Rudolph, and Gordon Bunshaft. Gary was the Project Designer for the Sheldon Art Gallery (University of Nebraska), Project Architect for the Yale Science Campus, including the Yale Geology Building and the Kline Science Center, and involved with the Ballet Theater in Lincoln Center.
After 10 years with Philip Johnson’s office, Gary headed west to San Diego working as Vice President/Director of Design for Frank L. Hope and Associates. During his 12 years there, the firm grow from 25 to 150-person office, and Gary’s intuitive understanding for large-scale buildings became apparent. He was involved in complex projects, including academic architecture, campus master planning, hospitals, research laboratories, naval administration and laboratory buildings, and included numerous prestigious national and regional honor awards. Gary Allen is best known for is his work for the San Diego Multi-Purpose Stadium, better known as Qualcomm Stadium, for which the firm won the AIA National Honor Award in 1969.
Gary established his own firm in 1976, choosing to remain a small office. Gary preferred practicing as a “hands-on” principal, favoring his own time bent over the drafting board rather than delegating. Projects include the 170,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters for Linkabit (now Qualcomm) and Cashman Field Sports Cultural and Convention Complex in Las Vegas, (100,000 sq. ft. convention facilities, 10,000 seat sports stadium). Gary’s residential work includes modern designs in Del Mar, Cardiff, La Jolla, and Point Loma.
Associated with the NewSchool of Architecture and Design, Gary served as professor from 1984-1986, and Dean until 1988. In December 2013, Mr. Allen was awarded the AIA San Diego Lifetime Achievement Award.
