Marvin Malecha, FAIA
Few individuals possess the academic architectural credentials of AIA San Diego’s Inaugural Legacy Award honoree, Marvin J. Malecha, FAIA. In his over 50 years in architecture, Marvin served as a philanthropist, educator, leader of the AIA and globally recognized architect.
Marvin studied physics at St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota, continuing his education by completing his Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Minnesota and later a Master of Architecture at Harvard University.
Marvin Malecha was President and Chief Academic Officer of the NewSchool of Architecture and Design from 2016 until 2020. Prior to this, he served as Dean of the College of Design at North Carolina State University and Dean of the College of Environmental Design at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He was recipient of the Topaz Medallion, the highest award given by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. In 2015, Malecha was conferred the title Professor Honoris Causa by Ion Mincu University in Bucharest, Romania, the only American teacher to be designated an honorary member of the European Association of Architectural Educators.
He maintained an interest in professional architectural practice throughout his career, contributing to many projects throughout the U.S, from churches to houses and seemingly everything in between. Marvin was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and Chancellor of the College of Fellows. In 2009 he was named AIA’s National President. Marvin wrote extensively on the topic of design thinking and was the author of several books. A skilled and prolific sketch artist, his drawings are in numerous collections.
An integral part of AIA San Diego, Marvin served as the emcee for the Lifetime Achievement Awards for the past three years. Marvins passing in 2020 was felt around the world, and through his tireless dedication to the profession, his legacy will live on in many generations to come.
