Jan Hird Pokorny Associates, Inc.

FIRM

Staff

Jan Hird Pokorny

FAIA, Principal CEO

EXPERIENCE

Jan Hird Pokorny, FAIA, founded the firm in 1946 and is an accomplished architect and educator noted for his expertise in the renovation and restoration of older structures. With his partners he is currently supervising the restoration of the Olana Mansion on the Hudson and twenty other projects in New York State, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Mr. Pokorny served as principal-in-charge of the $10 million restoration of the Schermerhorn Row Block in the South Street Seaport, New York City. Among his other notable projects are the $50 million Master Plan for Lehman College and the design of four buildings within that plan; the $45 million Central Campus Plan for SUNY at Stony Brook and the design of the Library, Administration and Student Union buildings within that plan; and Historic Preservation Consultant to the 19th century landmark campus of Snug Harbor Cultural Center (Sailor’s Snug Harbor).

Mr. Pokorny, a former Art Commissioner of New York City, is Professor Emeritus of Architecture and special lecturer in architecture in the Historic Preservation Program at Columbia University, serves as a Trustee of Grand Central Terminal Trust in New York City, and is currently a Commissioner with the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

In 1990, Mr. Pokorny received a Lifetime Preservation Award from Columbia University Preservation Alumni. And, in 1992, he received the James William Kideney Award from the AIA in recognition of outstanding leadership, distinguished service, and notable contributions to the profession and the community. His most recent award was an AIA New York State Fellows Award for “The Quintessential Architect” in 2000.

EDUCATION

• 1941
  • M.S. Architecture, Columbia University
• 1937
  • Engineering/Architecture, Polytech University, Prague

ACTIVE REGISTRATION

• 1947
  • Architectural Registration, New York
• 1948
  • Architectural Registration, New Jersey
• 1953
  • NCARB
• 2005
  • Architectural Registration, Connecticut

TEACHING

• 1957-Present
  • Professor Emeritus and Special Lecturer in Preservation, Columbia University

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