James Frank Porter FAIA

February 14, 1942 - July 15, 2014 Family mentor, quintessential gentleman, world class architect. James Porter, devoted head of his cherished family and renowned global architect, has made his transition at the young age of 72 after a sudden illness. His mantra, "We will figure it out," was the core of his each daily doing and lifelong achievement. He used his intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm to mentor people around the globe. Whether invigorated by a book on John Adams or returning from an exotic location; he couldn't wait to share his thoughts and stories with his friends and family. Jim graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the School of Architecture at the University of Southern California. He met his wife, artist Faith Zink, in the art and architecture department. They were married at the original USC Methodist Church on campus in 1966. He was a member of the USC Architectural Guild from its inception. Jim and Faith have been active on the USC School of Fine Arts Board of Councilors for 30 years, endowing a scholarship in their names. Jim treasured his family from the very start of the births of his 2 sons, Damon Gregory Porter and Arran Cameron Porter. His gracious daughters-in law, Jenifer and Krista, blessed him with six exceptional grand children. All of these kind family members offered him many spiritual lessons. He always accepted the role of "Captain of The Ship," working tirelessly to steer "life" in a proactive direction. Jim's three sisters-in-law, Hope Zink, Dale Evje, and Peg Vellutini, looked to Jim as a beacon of wisdom and strength because, as very young girls, their parents, Peg and Dale Zink, had met untimely deaths. His best friend, Faith, always said, "If you want a job done immaculately, ask Jim Porter to figure it out." His first adventure as an architect was with two Long Beach firms, Gibbs and Killingsworth. They designed the Long Beach Music Center, City Hall, and Convention Center. As his first career was in music, he knew of the theater's acoustical challenges and thus became significant in these projects. Chosen for a Sunset Magazine award in 1979, Jim's own home set a new paradigm for contemporary homes. It also appeared on the cover of the LA Times Home Magazine and was featured in seven other publications, including the prestigious GA Houses. In 2000, his son Damon, a fellow Trojan, collaborated with his father to build five more homes next to his original, which completed a unique, hidden community. Jim always said his favorite resort was "The 5 Seasons" at home. Additionally, in his professional life as an architect, he worked with Frank O. Gehry and Associates and Charles Kober Associates before co-founding Altoon+Porter Architects in 1984 with Ronald Altoon, FAIA, and Harvey Niskala, AIA. In 2012, at the age of 70, after 27 years with his firm, he retired and ultimately re-engaged with the Gehry office. In the mid 1990s, Jim ventured into the Asian frontier and took the chance on a new focus for architects. His drive was greater than the fear of failure. In the early 2000s he took responsibility for managing the firm's burgeoning Asian practice. Two of his most cherished trips to China were shared with his grandson Alexander as they, together, acquired knowledge and nuances of other cultures. Jim shared these things at speaking engagements on topics "Taking Your Practice Global" and "Practice Matters." The Altoon+Porter Firm received over 75 design awards in 28 years, 20 of the 75 being global awards. Some of the projects in this category are Marina City in Qingdao for the 2008 Olympics, Waikiki Beach Walk, Hawaii, Bullocks Wilshire's conversion to the Southwest Law School, Historic Engine Co. No. 28, and "The Best of the Best in the World Award" for Central World, Bangkok. Even with all of his acclaim, he was most pleased when he was showing and sharing his work experiences with his family. His best treasured legacy was mentoring his family, friends, and business associates. Teaching his grandson Oliver to play golf was his ultimate "teaching moment," especially when his two sons were present. He was looking forward to the day when the babies, Cameron and Grayson, would join them. With his keen interest in effective and efficient practice administration and project management, Jim created the "Collaboration Matrix," which carefully crafted responsibilities between architectural firms working in concert projects. Over the years, A+P collaborated with architect colleagues more than 70 times on projects in over 40 countries. The AIA adopted a version of this contract format that was based upon Jim's pioneering collaboration concept, and included it in their AIA Architects Handbook of professional Practice. This was an acknowledgment of his significant contribution to the profession. Recognizing this, his American Institute of Architects College of Fellows nomination package contained the statement: "Jim Porter has pioneered collaboration techniques for over 30 years and has mentored architects who have adopted his innovative contract documents for project delivery, resulting in project partnership with firms nationally and globally." Jim was advanced to the AIA College of Fellows in a commendation bestowed on only 4% of AIA members in their lifetimes. Jim was a great good will ambassador to many cultures. He was an active member of the Urban Land Institute as he served on the international Development and Global Councils. In addition to their involvement at USC Jim and Faith are also founders of the Music Center of Los Angeles and MOCA. James Frank Porter was born in Glendale Feb 14, 1942 and as a young boy showed his eagerness to succeed by learning to play the trumpet. He was blessed by a family of musical talent. In the 1950's his parents May and Ben Porter created and guided the Burbank Police Boys Band. He and his brother, Ken Porter, and the other young musicians benefited by learning to set goals along with having fun marching in the Rose Parade on New Years Day. In High School he worked with his father making trumpets. The 3 sterling horns that he made for himself he used to earn tuition for USC to become an architect. He was fortunate to play first trumpet for bands including Jerry Gray, The Righteous Brothers, Lawrence Welk, and Johnny Mathis. One of his greatest pleasures was passing on the musical gifts to his children. Their talents all touched him very deeply. His son Arran studied on a fellowship to become a classical pianist; his granddaughter Olivia is an accomplished dancer; his granddaughter Isabella was a winner in the Music Center Spotlight awards in the voice category in April. Jim is survived by his wife, artist Faith Porter, two sons and their wives, Damon Gregory and Jenifer Porter, and Arran Cameron and Krista Porter, six grandchildren, Alexander, Olivia, Isabella, Oliver, Cameron, and Grayson, brother- and sister-in-law Ken and Shannon, and his Mother May's Sister Fern Vales, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other blessed relatives. A celebration of Jim's life will be held to honor him at All Saints Episcopal Church, 504 N Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA, on August 19, 2014 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the School of Architecture at the University of Southern California.