Member News
New York City, Profession, Lose Friend—Michael Maas, FAIA

Former AIA Board member and HLW Senior Managing Partner Michael Maas, FAIA, died May 12 at the age of 70.

Maas spent 40 years with HLW, New York City, and is being remembered for enriching the firm and its people through his leadership and dedication to the architectural profession. Maas established and oversaw HLW's marketing and public relations operations, helping to maintain the firm's 115-year legacy in the profession and New York City. He also created, developed, and nurtured the interior design activities of HLW, helping it achieve success as one of the 10 largest interior design firms in the country. He was instrumental in the designs for projects including the world headquarters for Chemical Bank, corporate headquarters for the U.S. Trust Company, and buildings for Prudential, Jaguar, the U.S. Army War College, and the School of Public Health at Harvard University.

Maas became a fellow of the Institute in 1988, served on the AIA Board, and helped craft the first AIA national advertising campaign. Maas was married to Jane Maas, Hon. AIA, a former public director on the AIA Board and chairman emeritus of Manhattan's Earle Palmer Brown Advertising. Maas was predeceased by his brother, last August, investigative reporter Peter Maas, author of Serpico and The Valachi Papers.

Prior to embarking on his architecture career, Michael Maas graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1954 and served for three years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has served as president of the Fifth Avenue Association, received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts, and was awarded an honorary law degree from St. John's University. A funeral mass was held on May 17. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Architectural Foundation, 1735 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20006.

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.

 
Reference

 

Call-up a printer-friendly version of this article.Refer this article to a friend by email.Go back to AIArchitect.comEmail your comments to the author.Email your comments to the editor.