Jon Pickard and William Chilton 2011 - Iowa State University Alumni Association

Jon Pickard and William Chilton 2011

William Chilton, FAIA

BA '76, Architecture
New Haven, Conn.

Jon Pickard, FAIA

BA '76, Architecture
New Haven, Conn.

Jon Pickard and William Chilton have led the design of some of the world’s most widely known buildings, creating iconic structures that have defined institutions, corporations, communities, cities, and countries.

As co-founders and Principals of Pickard Chilton, the two Iowa State alumni and classmates believe that architecture can affirm a society’s best aspirations and a client’s cherished goals. They strive to create projects that offer their clients, and the public, measurable advantages – whether that means a building that stands out in the skyline and attracts the best tenants, or one that embodies the beauty of using resources lightly. The architects at Pickard Chilton give the art, function, and impact of a building their closest attention, believing that excellence in each facet of building design supports an inspired whole.

Pickard and Chilton have been recognized internationally for their achievements in architecture. The two have designed, collaborated in the design of, and directed some of the world’s most recognized buildings, including such prominent projects as the Devon Energy World Headquarters in Oklahoma City; Eaton World Headquarters in Cleveland; 1180 Peachtree in Atlanta; Wells Fargo Financial Headquarters in Des Moines; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters near Washington, D.C.; Four Seasons Place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and the CalPERS Headquarters Complex in Sacramento.  Their leadership in sustainable design has resulted in buildings representing over 22 million square feet of LEED Gold or its equivalent currently in design, under construction or completed since 2006, one of the highest volumes in the U.S.  In recognition of their significant contributions to the profession, Pickard and Chilton were elected to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows.

Before co-founding Pickard Chilton, Chilton was Ellerbe Becket’s President of Architecture and led such notable buildings as the Science Museum of Minnesota and Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which, when completed, was the tallest mixed-use complex in Europe and the Middle East. He earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota and served as a Professor in Practice at that institution’s College of Design last spring.

Prior to co-founding Pickard Chilton, Pickard collaborated with Cesar Pelli in the design of numerous landmark and award-winning projects, including two of the largest commercial developments ever built: the World Financial Center in New York and Kuala Lumpur City Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which includes two of the world’s tallest buildings – the Petronas Towers. Pickard earned a Master of Architecture degree from the Yale School of Architecture and continues to serve as a visiting critic at that institution.

Pickard and Chilton individually received the Christian Petersen Design Award as well as the Design Achievement Award from the Iowa State College of Design. Chilton resides in Guilford, Conn., and is a member of the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle and a lifetime member of the ISU Alumni Association. Pickard and his wife, Cassy, also reside in Guilford and are members of the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle and lifetime members of the ISU Alumni Association.

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