On Friday afternoon, June 21, at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, as part of the AIA Convention in Denver, Anthony J. Haas will be invested as member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. An inspirational leader and collaborator, Haas is being recognized for his achievements in creating humane, high performance healthcare facilities.

The College of Fellows is composed of members of the Institute who are elected to Fellowship by a jury of their peers. Fellowship is one of the highest honors the AIA can bestow. Elevation to Fellowship recognizes the achievements of the architect as an individual as well as their significant contributions to architecture and to society.

“Anthony Haas not only exemplifies the highest standards of the architectural profession, his work embodies the values of WHR,” says David H. Watkins, FAIA, chairman and founding principal of WHR. “With his energy and empathy, he brings people together around the larger project for the greater good, whether as a medical planner, professional leader, teacher or mentor.

Over his 30-year plus career, Haas has been actively involved in developing new operational models for a range of specialized spaces, from nursing stations and patient rooms to emergency centers and operating rooms. He is a valued contributor to groundbreaking work in WHR’s evidenced-based design practice and has helped pioneer research and testing of new environments to support efficiency, performance, and staffing concepts.

“Being named a Fellow is not only an opportunity to look back at your career evolution and accomplishments,” said Haas. “The recognition has recharged me, helped me expand my vision of practice and set the bar higher.” For Haas that includes leading WHR’s efforts in Europe with the establishment of an office in Copenhagen and the pursuit of several healthcare projects in Denmark.

Closer to home Haas’ recent projects include the Methodist Hospital Outpatient Center, Houston; Memorial Hermann the Woodland Hospital Campus Expansion, The Woodlands, Texas; The Methodist Hospital, Sugar Land, Texas; Christus Spohn Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas and The University of the Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Academic Building, Tyler, Texas

Haas is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Architects where he serves as a Regent, Board Member and as Secretary/Treasurer for 2013. He is also an active Member of the Academy of Architecture for Health of the American Institute of Architects. He returns regularly to his alma mater, Texas A&M University, where he was named 2007 Outstanding Alumni, to participate in the Health Industry Advisory Council. He regularly serves as the lead faculty member for the Masters of Healthcare Administration Program at the University of Houston / Clear Lake and acts as valued mentor to his firm’s Tradewell Fellows, a nationally recognized, competitive fellowship program to build the careers of aspiring healthcare architects.

About WHR Architects
WHR Architects is a full service architecture, interior design and technology planning firm. The firm’s commitment to critical thinking is balanced by an ingrained empathy that results in both improved project outcomes and positive working experiences for their clients. With over 130 people in Houston and Dallas, Texas, and New Jersey, the 34-year-old firm is working on projects throughout the US for top–tier public and private education and medical institutions. Learn more online at www.whrarchitects.com or follow @whrarchitects on Twitter.