Gerry Cowart FAIA ○ LEED AP

Bio

In 1985 Gerald D. Cowart graduated from Georgia Tech with a Master Degree in Architecture. His graduate focus was in urban design and historic preservation.

In 1986 he received his architectural registration in the State of Georgia #6279 and is presently licensed in South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida, as well as Georgia.

In 1987 he formed Cowart Group, Architects and presently is senior partner of Cowart Group, P.C.

In the past 30+ years, his firm has won two Urban Design Awards, ten Historic Preservation Awards, twelve American Institute of Architects Excellence Awards, and numerous awards for service to his profession and his community. He has been published over 37 times both for his works and articles he has authored.

Gerry Cowart has long been a proponent of Sustainable Design.  He was one of the first LEED Accredited architects in Georgia.  In 1996 and again in 1997, he was awarded the AIA GA Sustainable Design Award. In 2008, he authored AIA GA’s Sustainable Design position paper.

He was the 2009-2010 President of AIA GA and Chairman of the AIA GA Committee on the Environment.  He has been a member of the American Institute of Architects for the past twenty-three years, serving on the State Executive Committee between 1993-1997 as Director, Secretary, and two terms as Treasurer.  He has also served on numerous committees and in leadership roles, twice as President of the Savannah Chapter.

He is a founding member of USGBC’s Savannah section.

Gerald Cowart has been a member of the Historic Savannah Foundation for twenty-nine years.  He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees and has served in volunteer positions on many of the Historic Savannah Foundation’s committees.
Cowart’s 30+ year professional career in Savannah has been exemplified by award-winning projects that combine his loves — historic preservation, environmental stewardship and sustainable urban design.

Gerry Cowart, FAIA, has been elevated to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows.

The proving grounds for his work have been the coastal environs of Georgia and South Carolina where he pursues his avocation of Southern history and coastal environmental science.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Cowart Group, PC, Architects 1987 – to present
Lominack/Jewett/Spencer, P.C. 1981-87, Intern Architect/Project Architect
Master of Architecture Georgia Tech 1985
Licensed Architect State of Georgia (#6289), 11/6/1986
NCARB Certification (Cert. #38821, File #52371), 11/16/1989
Licensed Interior Designer 1990
Licensed Architect State of South Carolina (#04011), 2/15/1990
Licensed Architect State of Alabama (#4286), 7/27/1995
Licensed Architect State of Florida (#AR-0017255), 12/21/2000
Licensed Architect State of Tennessee (#102383), 11/27/2001
US Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional, 2004

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS SERVICE & APPOINTMENTS
-State President, AIA GA 2010
-Chairman State Committee on the Environment, AIA GA 2008
-Committee Member, AIA GA Government Affairs, 2007-2008
-State Director, AIA GA 2006-2008
-Chairman, AIA Savannah Urban Design Committee, 2005
-Chairman, Architects Foundation of Georgia 2002-2004
-Trustee of The Architects Foundation of Georgia 1999-2002
-Chairman AIA Savannah Design Awards 2001
-President AIA Savannah Chapter 2000
-Vice-President AIA Savannah Chapter 1999
-Alternate AIA GA State Director 1998
-Chairman, AIA GA Financial Team 1997
-State Treasurer, AIA GA 1995-96
-Member, State Editorial Committee 1994-96
-State Secretary, AIA GA 1994-95
-Chairman, AIA GA State Honor Awards 1994-95
-State Director, AIA GA 1993
-Member, Ga. Disaster Relief Committee 1993
-Co-Chairman, Public Design Forum MLK 1992
-Vice-President, AIA So. Ga. Chapter 1992
-Secretary, AIA So. GA Chapter 1991
-Treasurer, AIA So. GA Chapter 1990
-Chairman, AIA So. GA Committee on Urban Development & Community Planning 1991-98
-Director, AIA So. GA Chapter Newsletter 1989-91
-State Director for South GA Chapter 1989

AWARDS

-AIA GA 2010 Bronze Medal for exemplary leadership as an architect in service to society through volunteer efforts on behalf of civic organizations, significant contributions to AIA Georgia, and commitment to sustainability.
-Professional Builder & HAHB Design Committee’s 2007 Best in American Living Award, Best Community Facility,151 Units &
Above for Lakeside at Hampton Lake,  Bluffton, SC
-AIA Savannah 2005 Award for Excellence in Architecture for the Oldfield Outfitter’s Cottage, Okatie, SC
-AIA Savannah 2003 Award for Architectural Merit, The Copp Residence, The Ford Plantation, Richmond Hill, Georgia
-Historic Savannah Foundation Award Historically Compatible New Construction 108 E. Macon Street. Savannah, Georgia, 2003
-AIA Savannah 2001 Citation Award for Cowart Coleman Architectural Office
-Historic Savannah Foundation Award for Quality Restoration of 102-114 E. 38th St., Savannah, GA, 2001
-Historic Savannah Foundation Award for Adaptive Reuse and Quality Restoration of 107 E. Gordon St, Sav., GA, 2001
-Savannah College of Art & Design, Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society Silver Medal for Distinction in Architecture, May 2001
-AIA National Award for Component Excellence given to AIA Savannah for Public Outreach & Communications while
under the leadership of Gerald D. Cowart, President, Feb. 2001
-Savannah College of Art & Design Architecture Dept. Design Excellence in Education Award, Feb. 2001
-AIA Savannah 2000 Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Leadership, Dec. 2000
-AIA South GA 1999 Award for Excellence in Architecture for the Foster Residence, Brays Island, SC
-Historic Savannah Foundation Award Historically Compatible New Construction 1999 for 500 Block of Perry Street
-Historic Savannah Foundation Preservation Award for 548-550 McDonough Street 1999
-AIA GA 1997 Award for Sustainable Design for the Baron Residence on Brays Island, SC
-AIA GA 1997 Honor Award for Service as Treasurer & Chairman of Financial Team
-AIA GA 1996 Honor Award for Service to the Profession
-AIA GA 1996 Award for Sustainable Design for the Hendershot Residence on Spring Island, SC
-AIA South GA 1995 Award for Excellence in Architecture for the Andrie Residence at Brays Island, SC
-GA Chapter ACI 1995 Award of Excellence Low & Mid-Rise for PCM, Inc. Office/Warehouse
-Historic Savannah Foundation 1995 Historic Preservation Award for Compatible New Architecture for the Stuber Residence,
Isle of Hope, GA
-Historic Savannah Foundation 1995 Historic Preservation Award for Outstanding Service in the Field of Preservation
-AIA GA 1995 Award for Excellence in Architecture for the Land Plan of Newpoint, Beaufort, SC
-Builder Magazine Builder’s Choice Award 1994 for Newpoint, Beaufort, SC
-AIA South GA 1993 Award for Excellence in Architecture for the Marty & Jane Johnson Residence, Skidaway Is., GA
-Gulf States Region AIA Honor Citation 1992
-Historic Savannah Foundation Mills B. Lane Historic Preservation Award 1992
-Historic Savannah Foundation Historic Preservation Award for 220 East Taylor 1991
-American Wood Council Award for Better Living & Creative New Design 1990
-Historic Savannah Foundation Historic Preservation Award for the Parkersville Collection, Isle of Hope, GA 1990
-AIA GA Award for Outstanding Design for the Parkersville Collection 1990
-AIA South GA Award for Excellence in Architecture for the Bee-LeBey Home 1989

COMMUNITY SERVICE
-Board Member, Georgia Riverkeepers  2008
-Certified Adopt-a-Stream Water Quality Tester, 2007-2008
-Founding Board Member of Savannah USGBC 2005-2007
-Trustee of the Historic Savannah Foundation 2003-Present
-2002 CASA Chatham County Board member (Court Appointed Special Advocate) protecting abused children
-Founder of the “Cowart Leadership Initiative” Fund for Georgia Architectural Students, a 501C Scholarship Fund
-Chairman, Savannah Quarters Architectural Review Board
-Chairman, Lucas Theatre for the Arts Building Restoration Committee
-Member, Historic Savannah Foundation
-Member, National Trust for Historic Preservation
-Past Member, St. James Church Building Committee
-Past Member, St. Vincent’s Academy School Board
-Past Chairman, St. Vincent’s Academy Facilities Committee
-Past Member, Skidaway Island Library Building Committee