EDWARD TZE MING TSOI

1943 - 2023

TSOI, Edward Tze Ming Edward T.M. Tsoi, FAIA, Well-known Cambridge architect Edward T.M. Tsoi, FAIA, a well-known Cambridge architect and founder of Tsoi Kobus and Associates, passed away, in Lexington, MA, on August 19th, 2023, at the age of 80. Ed grew up in New Orleans, LA and continued his education in the Cambridge/Boston area, where he attended MIT and received a Bachelor's degree in Architecture in 1966. He then went on to the University of Pennsylvania School of Urban Design, where he completed a Master's degree in Architecture and a Master's degree in City Planning in 1968. Ed met his wife, Louise in Boston while he was a student at MIT and they married in 1968. They moved back to the Boston area, settled in Arlington, MA, where they have lived for the past 53 years in the home that Ed restored and where they raised their two daughters and Ed became an active member of the Arlington community. Ed began his career in 1970 with the Cambridge architecture firm of Sert, Jackson and Associates. He went on to work at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill in Boston. Ed co-founded his architecture firm, Tsoi Kobus and Associates with Rick Kobus in 1983 in Harvard Square. Ed's passion for the built world and his lifelong work ethic were instrumental in the firm's early and continued success in the design of hospitals and research laboratories, as well as university, pharmaceutical and commercial buildings. Ed designed one of the first Proton Therapy Centers for cancer treatment in the country at the MGH Hospital and continued to design many more throughout the U.S. To quote Rick "If Ed believed in an idea, whether about a building or about our profession, he was unstoppable!" The office received numerous design awards and grew to 130 people. Ed blended humanism and technology in his award-winning work and remained a mentor to many. Ed also taught at the Boston Architectural Center from 1970 to1973 at the Harvard Graduate School of Design from 1974 to 1977 and was a critic/guest lecturer in urban design from 1978 to 1991. He was a respected president of the Boston Society of Architects, 1994 to 1995 and received their prestigious Award of Honor in 2013. He was also a member of the AIA National Boards. Ed's commitment to excellence in urban design resulted in a public awareness of how buildings and open space can impact the public realm. This was best demonstrated by his participation on the Arlington Redevelopment Board for 37 years, where Ed's gentle guidance to developers and design professionals continued over more than 200 projects. Ed also served on the Boston Civic Design Commission and was a board member of the Cambridge Salvation Army, where he was often seen at the holiday season holding a donation kettle near his office in Harvard Square. Ed remained a leader, role model, mentor and champion within the Boston Architectural community until 2008 when he suffered a debilitating stroke and retired. Ed continued to inspire in his humble way his children, grandchildren and many friends, often gathering at his beloved summer home on Martha's Vineyard, where he had enjoyed windsurfing and boating for many years. Ed is survived by his wife, Louise of Arlington, MA; his loving daughters, Laura Doherty and her husband, Jed of Arlington, MA and Alison and her husband, Anthony Glynn of Chappaqua, NY; his cherished grandchildren, Makayla, Matthew and Alexa; his sister, Katherine "Kitty" Croft of Metairie, LA, and nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, David Tze Ping Tsoi. The family is planning a private Celebration of Ed's Life to be held on October 7, with livestreaming to begin at 11 AM. https://360xstream.com /event/ed-tsoi-memorial-service Donations in Ed's memory may be made to: the American Stroke Association, at www.stroke.org the National Aphasia Association, at www.aphasia.org or the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org

View the online memorial for Edward Tze Ming TSOI