Palm Beach – The Alchemy of Architecture: Memories and Insights from Ken Tate

Hosted by the Florida Chapter | 1 AIA CES Learning Unit elective

Join the ICAA Florida Chapter as Ken and Duke Tate present the creative memoir about Ken’s life: Growing up in Columbus, Mississippi surrounded by beautiful Greek Revival houses, the book journeys through Ken’s upbringing as a creative adolescent to his early days at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta where he started his architectural collegiate career. Struggling to keep up with the hard-edged modernism being taught in school and longing to design beautiful houses with soul, Ken went to Auburn University where he found what he was looking for in two creative professors, Jim Jones and Lewis Lanter, who mentored him. Their tutelage led him to write his architectural thesis Architecture in Search of a Soul. Following graduation, Ken went to work for eccentric talent Bruce Goff in Texas and afterwards for Sambo Mockbee in Jackson, Mississippi. In 1984, he established his own firm, Ken Tate Architect, which began a lifelong career of designing houses in an alchemical way where an inner essence was breathed into them. Full of rich detail and texture, the book follows Ken’s 35-year career from Jackson to New Orleans and on to Palm Beach where the firm has opened their second office. Covering his approach to design, how architecture relates to cinema and photography, advice, reflections and even epiphanies, the book is a must read for any fan of the profession and features many black and white photos taken over Ken’s life and career.

At the end of the event participants will be able to:

1. Understand how the influence of architectural mentorship and tutelage can shape an architect’s lifelong career of creativity.
2. Discover the architect’s “alchemy of architecture” in designing beautiful houses with soul using rich detail and texture.
3. Learn how the approach to architectural design relates to cinema and photography.
4. Participate in a question and answer discussion about the profession, advice and reflections.
5. Please email the Florida Chapter Director, Anne Finch at director@flclassicist.org to RSVP.

This event is hosted by an ICAA Chapter. Please check the Chapter website, or contact the Chapter directly, for the most up-to-date details including dates, times, and pricing.

The Florida Chapter’s book lectures are made possible by:

The Florida Chapter would like to thank their Henry Flagler Level Sponsors:
Ken Tate Architect
Caoba Windows & Doors
Marmotech
Belt