Ted Flato, FAIA

Ted Flato, FAIA has received critical acclaim for his straight-forward regional designs which incorporate indigenous building forms and materials and respond to the context of their unique landscapes. With partner David Lake, he was named 2024's Gold Medal recipient, the highest honor from the American Institute of Architects.

By applying sustainable strategies to a wide variety of building types and scales, Ted seeks to conserve energy and natural resources while creating healthy built environments. His interest in a myriad of building systems has resulted in projects ranging from mass timber, prefabrication and 3D printing, among other building systems. His work is always sensitive to climate, whether it’s designed along the Gulf Coast, in Michigan, west Texas or southern California, leveraging what Lake|Flato has learned over the years in terms of harnessing design, quality, sustainability, and practicality.

In addition to his notable residential projects, Ted’s commercial work includes the transformation of a former Air Force base into a 550,000 SF regenerative campus for Arizona Polytechnic University, the LEED Platinum Shangri La Gardens in Orange, TX and a new mass timber academic building for Trinity University that pays homage to its mid-century campus, designed by Ted and David’s mentor and Texas modernist, O’Neil Ford.

Ted’s commitment to sustainable environments does not end with his designs. His notoriety has earned him invitations to lecture across the nation on subjects such as healthy buildings and sustainable strategies, fostering community and healthy office culture, among many other topics.