Marvin Malecha, FAIA

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. 

Al Whitley, AIA, 2021

Thomas ‘Al’ Whitley, AIA, MBA

Throughout his career spanning nearly 40 years, Al Whitley served the architectural community as a pioneer of computer aided design and drafting in San Diego. In addition to his successful practice, Whitley Consulting Group, Al served as founder and CEO of the Virtual Design & Construction Institute (VDCI), which continues to provide career education for the AEC community today. A beloved teacher and mentor, Al felt a self-imposed responsibility to encourage, empower and educate young professionals 

Al graduated from the College of William and Mary with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1977. Upon graduation, Al began his career as a U.S. Naval Supply corps officer, but his aspirations to pursue architecture remained. When he left the Navy in 1984, he went to work for his first architectural employer.

A leader in technology in architecture, Al was one of only ten architectural interns to use AutoCAD Version 1.0 in San Diego. In 1991, Al became a licensed architect, an amazing feat considering that he had no formal architectural education and gained his experience as an apprentice.

In 1997, Al founded cadteacher as an extension of the client support services of his architectural practice, Whitley Consulting Group. Cadteacher, now the Virtual Design & Construction Institute (VDCI), continues to grow as an independent educational institution in architectural technology, gaining multiple national educational accreditations.

Al spent his professional career tirelessly mentoring professionals in the industry, empowering people to pursue their dreams and providing opportunities for them to succeed. Many of his staff began their careers under Al’s guidance, and would identify his leadership as the key to their professional journey. Al reveled in the successes of the many careers that he could claim to have played a part in launching.

Al Whitley, MBA, AIA, 64, passed away unexpectedly at home on August 1, 2020. Al will always be remembered for his generosity, caring nature, and optimism, and for creating a lasting impact within the architectural profession.