Paul Hirzel receives lifetime achievement award

Washington State University Professor Paul Hirzel recently received a lifetime achievement award from the Inland Northwest Architectural Foundation.

The award, the organization's highest recognition, honors individuals whose work has made "an extraordinary and enduring contribution to the built environment" in the Inland Northwest, according to the award announcement.

Hirzel, emeritus professor in the School of Design and Construction and a WSU alumnus, taught at WSU from 1989 until his retirement in 2022. He received numerous regional, national and international awards for his designs, including American Institute of Architects Honor awards for his Canyon House and Mountain House projects. In 2018, his work was featured at the Biennale Architettura , the most prestigious international architecture exhibition in the world. He was one of only 15 architects from the US invited to participate in that event.

Hirzel was also recognized nationally for his teaching, where he received the National American Institute of Architects Education Honor Award for development of his unique Site and Landscape Design course. The course, which emphasized the ideas of place, setting and context in design, was also featured in the Chronicle of Higher Education. Hirzel received three outstanding teaching faculty awards in the College of Engineering and Architecture.

In addition to his WSU undergraduate degree, Hirzel holds a Bachelor's and Master of Architecture from Cornell University and bachelor's degrees from University of Washington in industrial education and arts education.

"I have had the privilege of working with Paul in both academic and professional settings, where he consistently demonstrates exceptional passion and creativity. In each context, his commitment to thoughtfully integrating architecture with the surrounding environment is evident and enduring," said Jason Peschel, director of the School of Design and Construction. "This well-deserved honor reflects Paul's enduring leadership, design excellence, and lasting contributions to the architectural profession and the communities he has served. His work has left a meaningful legacy across the region and continues to inspire current and future generations of architects."

Hirzel will be honored at the group's Design Awards Ceremony on April 16 at the Spokane Convention Center.