PRINCETON, New Jersey, March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --It is with deep sadness that Michael Graves Architecture & Design (MGA&D) announces the firm's Founding Principal Michael Graves has passed away today, suddenly and peacefully, of natural causes. He was in his home in Princeton, New Jersey.
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Since founding the firm in 1964, Michael transformed the role of architects and designers, and even the place of design in our everyday lives. For those of us who had the opportunity to work closely with Michael, we knew him as an extraordinary designer, teacher, mentor and friend. For the countless students that he taught for more than 40 years, Michael was an inspiring professor who encouraged everyone to find their unique design voice.
Of all of his accomplishments, Michael often said that, like his own family, his proudest creation was his firm. As we go forward in our practice, we will continue to honor Michael's humanistic design philosophy through our commitment to creating unique design solutions that transform people's lives.
Graves has received prestigious awards including the AIA Gold Medal, the National Medal of Arts from President Clinton, and the Topaz Medallion from the AIA/ACSA. Graves is the 2012 Richard H. Driehaus Prize Laureate. Michael Graves has become internationally recognized as a healthcare design advocate, with the Center for Health Design naming him one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in Healthcare Design. In 2013, President Obama appointed Graves to the United States Access Board.
MGA&D recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a major exhibition at the Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ, which is on view until April 5. In addition, Michael's contribution to design was celebrated by the Architectural League with a daylong symposium at Parsons New School for Design. The American Institute of Architects acknowledged Michael's career with a Presidential Citation. Fast Company just named MGA&D one of the 10 most innovative design firms in the world.
Plans for a public memorial that will be held in Princeton will be announced in the near future.
