Dan Meis - Dynamic Architecture: designing buildings that move

Dan Meis, FAIA, senior principal at the firm Populous in Los Angeles will hold endowed position of Nancy M. and Edward D. Fox Urban Design Critic; a faculty endowment honoring Nancy and Edward Fox, members of a three-generation Trojan family. This endowment provides funds for the annual appointment of a visiting urban design critic at the School. The critic is responsible for teaching and research in the area of urban design and the role of the business community in the development of cities. The critic incorporates the complimentary roles of architects, urban designers and financial partners in city building.

Most recognized as the designer of Los Angeles' Staples Center, Dan Meis, FAIA, is a Senior Principal of Populous and leads the LA office with over 25 years of experience. Meis began a very diverse career in large-scale civic and commercial architecture after graduating from the University of Illinois in 1985. As a young designer in the Chicago office of Murphy/Jahn Architects, he worked on award winning office towers in Chicago, New York, Germany, and South Africa. In 1992, he became a Design Principal at the LA office of Ellerbe Becket, where he designed Europe's largest indoor arena - Nynex Arena in Manchester, England. In 1995, he won an international design competition for the $750 million Saitama Arena in Japan. This mixed-use structure is capable of mechanically transforming a 10,000-seat arena to a 35,000-seat stadium which hosts NFL exhibition games and Japan League Soccer. Later, as a Design Partner for NBBJ, Dan designed sports, entertainment, and convention facilities that were well acclaimed including Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Miller Park in Milwaukee, Safeco Field in Seattle, Lincoln Financial in Philadelphia and Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Paul Brown Stadium was the first NFL facility to ever win an AIA design award.

Meis' design for Los Angeles' Staples Center has been heralded as the "greatest arena ever built," and in 2001 he was featured in Time Magazine as one of their "100 Innovators in the World of Sports." His work has twice been awarded the prestigious Business Week/Architectural Record Award, recognizing the value of design to a client's business. Meis has been recognized twice as one of Sports Business Journal's "40 under 40" executives who have made the greatest impact in the sports industry and the only architect to ever win more than once. In 2006, he was elevated to the prestigious College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. In 2010, Dan joined Populous, the world's only design practice dedicated exclusively to sports and entertainment venues, establishing a new office in Venice, California.

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Education

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