Architect Fred Schmidt, FAIA and principal of FSB, recently was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

The state award recognizes a lifetime of distinguished leadership and dedication in the architecture profession and in the community. The award is AIA Oklahoma’s highest honor, and only three such awards have been presented to date. Schmidt’s involvement in the architecture industry is most notable in his passion to advance the architecture profession through public awareness of quality architecture, through educational programs focused on architecture for K-12 students and by mentoring college architecture majors.

“We are so extremely proud of Fred,” Rick Johnson, FSB COO, said. “It is an honor at FSB for one of our principals to be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by peers in the industry. Fred is most deserving for what he has done for the industry and for his body of work that has improved the quality of many communities.”

Schmidt also is highly involved in the community through the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors. He is a Leadership Oklahoma City alumnus — Class XXII, a past president of the AIA Central Oklahoma and is active on many other community committees and boards. Much of his career has been devoted to youth in our community and his positive impact in many young lives through mentorship, guidance and leadership by example is immeasurable.

“As architects, we are stewards of the built environment and must be diligent in creating public awareness of the positive virtues of a quality built environment and of the value of the architect’s role and contribution to that environment, We must also lead by example and work with those young people that come behind us to inspire, mentor and help in any way we can,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt has 38 year’s experience providing leadership, management and business development services to the design industry. He is a distinguished author and guest lecturer. As a principal at FSB, he leads the market sector for the firm’s education division. Some of Schmidt’s notable project highlights include the state capitol dome, the Advanced Technology Center at Oklahoma State University, The Center for Transformative Learning at University of Central Oklahoma and the Chickasaw Visitor Center. His educational materials on architectural learning have found their way to schools and homes around the world through the students he has enlightened.

His published work includes “In Shape for Learning — Oklahoma Capitol Dome Curriculum,” “The Architectural Mentor Guidebook,” and “Oklahoma City by Design / Architecture by Alphabet,” among others.

Considered a thought leader in the architecture community, Schmidt created and maintains the Design Matters blog that educates numerous readers. Schmidt has single handedly published weekly posts for nearly three years. The blog has received more than 35,406 hits and has been viewed in more than 110 countries. Schmidt graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in architecture, where he also won the Outstanding Alumni award in 2010 from the College of Architecture.

He is active at the University of Oklahoma, having served eight years as an adjunct professor with the College, where he taught design and professional practice curriculum. His students recognized Schmidt as the most inspiring and among the best design instructors they had at OU. He served on the OU College of Architecture Board of Visitors and is currently the chair of the Professional Advisory Board of the Division of Architecture.

Schmidt is a Norman resident of 46 years. He and his wife, Kathleen, have three children.