Staff Profiles: Thomas K. Butt, FAIA
Contact by emailFounder of Interactive Resources and its president since 1973, Tom Butt is the director of the firm’s Architecture Division. He has more than 35 years of experience with the design of institutional, residential, commercial and public buildings. Tom serves as Principal-in-Charge of many of the firm’s major projects involving new and rehabilitated buildings, urban planning and design, historic preservation, energy conservation and alternative energy applications for buildings, and forensic and diagnostic architecture.
As a city council member, Tom has initiated legislation and influenced public policy in historic preservation, infrastructure planning, open government, regulation of industrial safety, youth recreation, land use planning, and redevelopment policy.
Tom was selected by his peers as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. He was also recognized by the East Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects with a Practice and Technology Achievement Award for his determination to explore issues of building technology and his efforts devoted toward sharing his findings with the public and the profession.
As a writer, researcher, and lecturer in the field of applied construction technology and building performance, Tom has continued to provide important new tools to design better and more functional buildings.
| Resume |
Education
- Master of Architecture, Urban Design, University of California, Los Angeles, 1973
- Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Arts, University of Arkansas, 1968
- Engineer Officer Basic Course, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, 1968
Professional Licenses
- Licensed Architect (California, Arkansas, and Nevada)
- Certification, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
- Licensed General Contractor, California
Professional Associations
- American Institute of Architects, Elected to the College of Fellows, 1995
- Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)
- Western Construction Consultants association (WESTCON), Charter Member
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Committee E-6, Performance of Buildings, C-11, Gypsum and F-06, Floor Coverings
- International Code Council (ICC)
- Roof Consultants Institute (RCI)
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE)
- Congress for the New Urbanism
Other Associations
- Arkansas Alumni Association, life member and past president, Bay Area Chapter
- UCLA Alumni Association
Professional Experience
- Interactive Resources, 1973-present
- Mayhew and Thiederman, Architects, Inc., San Francisco, 1970-71
- Edward Durell Stone, Inc., Palo Alto, 1967-70
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (military service), 1968-70
- Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1963-66
Military Service
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1968-1970
- Rank at Discharge: 1st Lieutenant Vietnam Service: 1969-1970
- Decorations:
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The Bronze Star
Army Commendation Medal
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Honors and Awards
- Arkansas Alumni Association 2005 Community Service Award
- Arkansas State Senate Citation for a “distinguished career filled with notable accomplishments.”
- Arkansas Traveler
- ASTM Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Service
- Hall of Honor, Fayetteville Public Education Foundation
- East Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Practice and Technology Achievement Award for "determination to explore issues of building technology and his efforts devoted toward sharing his findings with the public and the profession."
- West Contra Costa Unified Education Fund Distinguished Citizen Award
- Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award
- President of the United States Award for Outstanding Community Achievement of Vietnam Era Veterans
- National Trust for Historic Preservation Honor Award
- Grand Award (Interactive Resources, Inc) for Design Excellence, National Association of Industrial and Office Parks
- Department of Transportation Award (East Brother Light Station, Inc.) for Outstanding Public Service to Transportation and Historic Preservation
Current Public Service
- City of Richmond City Council, Elected Member, Richmond City Council, 10 years. Ran first in field of 15 in 2004 election, holding record for most votes cast for a candidate in Richmond history. Served as vice-mayor and chair of Public Safety/Public Services Committee, Rules and Procedures committee and Personnel Committee
- Best Local Politician, East Bay Express, May 2004
- Board of Directors, Local Government Commission
- President, Rosie the Riveter Trust
- President, East Brother Light Station, Inc.
- City of Richmond representative, West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC)
Past Public Service
- Commissioner for Qualifications Appraisal Interviews, California State Board of Architectural Examiners
- Chair, West County Agency
- District Chairman, Herms District, Diablo-Silverado Council, Boy Scouts of America
- Board of Directors, Richmond, California, Chamber of Commerce
- Chairman, Richmond Economic Development Commission
- President, Washington School PTA
- President, Point Richmond Business Association
- President, Point Richmond Neighborhood Council
- Board of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association
- Citizen’s Advisory Committee for Richmond, California Shoreline Conservation and Development Plan, the Knox Freeway-Cutting Boulevard Corridor Study, and the North Richmond Shoreline Specific
- Richmond CETA Advisory Committee
- Richmond Community Development Commission
- Richmond Rotary Club, past President
| Diagnostic Architecture and Construction Technology |
- More than 350 consulting assignments relating to construction failure or construction litigation, including 10,000 units of housing.
- Expert witness in over 100 construction litigation cases, including trial testimony in California and Oregon courts
- Serves on three committees and chairs two ASTM task groups related to moisture problems in buildings
- Arbitrated dozens of construction disputes through the auspices of the American Arbitration Association, served on its panel of arbitrator trainers, and as a faculty member in continuing education of arbitrators.
| Representative New and Rehabilitation Building Design |
- Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Winery Building Rehabilitation and Cave Entry, Napa, CA
- Mariner Square and Baltic Square, Richmond, CA
- College of San Mateo Building 18 Rehabilitation, San Mateo, CA
- Margaret Lesher Student Union Building, Diablo Valley College
| Historic Preservation |
- National Trust for Historic Preservation volunteer in New Orleans Damage Assessment Team
- Completed more than 100 projects involving restoration or rehabilitation of historic structures, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Lectured widely on historic preservation practice to groups including the National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Convention, the Monterey Design Conference, and many civic clubs and organizations.
- Prepared and administered numerous successful grant applications for historic preservation projects and National Register Nominations and Certifications.
| Energy Conservation and Alternative Energy Applications |
- Early work in alternative energy and energy conservation set the pace in California in the years immediately following the energy crisis of 1973, influencing subsequent state energy conservation legislation and speeding the incorporation of energy conservation considerations into the mainstream of California architectural practice.
- Completed more than 100 projects between 1973 and 1983 that incorporated cutting-edge active and passive solar, wind, and other energy conservation technology. Those included private homes, apartments and condominiums, commercial and public buildings, and swimming pools. Many have been published in local, regional, and national media.
- In 1975, organized and implemented the first statewide California Solar Energy for Buildings Conference, repeated in 1976 and 1977 with hundreds of building industry professionals attending.
- Secured six U.S. Government-sponsored grants for research or demonstration projects in solar energy.
| Representative Speaking Engagements |
- “Stucco as a Weather Protection System,” a Westcon seminar
- “Water Intrusion – An Age Old Challenge to Architects,” Water Intrusion – A Beutler Educational Forum
- Roofing Consultant’s Institute, Southern California, ASTM E2266 Symposium on Design and Construction of Low-Rise Frame Building Wall Systems to Resist Water Intrusion
- “ The Enduring Mystery of Weather Resistive Barriers and the Need for Standards,” Westcon ASTM E2266 Symposium on Design and Construction of Low-Rise Frame Building Wall Systems to Resist Water Intrusion,
- “Water Resistance and Vapor Permeance of Weather Resistive Barriers,” ASTM Symposium on Performance and Durability of Window-Wall Interface, 2004
- “Specifications and the Need for Standards,” BETEC 2004 Symposium on Enclosure Wall Systems
- “Weather Resistive Barriers and Flexible Flashings,” Western Region AAMA Meeting, 2004
- “What Elected Officials, Architects, Planners and Local Officials are Doing,” Local Government Commission 3rd Annual New partners for Smart Growth Conference, 2004
- “The Design Professional’s Standard of Care - Using Reasonable Diligence and Best Judgment,” Westcon 2000 Symposium and May, 2001 Meeting
- “Something Fishy is in the Neighborhood,” Local Government Commission Building Livable Communities Conference 2000
- “Moisture Problems in Concrete Slabs on Grade,” World of Concrete, 1998
- “Forensic and Diagnostic Architecture,” AIA Redwood Empire Chapter, 1997
- Moderator and speaker at “Putting Our Communities Back On Their Feet” conference by Local Government Commission, 1996
- “Moisture Problems in Concrete Slabs on Grade,” Construction Consultants Association of Northern California, 1996
- ”Jobsite Problems, Solutions and Perceptions: Why are the Architect and Contractor Treated So Differently?,” The Northern California Construction Institute, 1993
- “Building Failures and Subsidence,” California Building Industry Association, Sacramento, CA, 1991
- “Forming and Running a Practice,” East Bay Chapter, AIA, Practice Management Seminar Series, 1989, 1990
- Training and Evaluation Seminar, The American Arbitration Association, Continuing Education for Arbitrators, 1989
- Light House Preservation Workshop, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Annual Convention, 1989
- “Polymer Modifier and Grouts and Mortar,” Ceramic Tile
- Institute, Dallas, TX, 1989
President
Principal-in-Charge
Architecture Division
Architect
| More about Tom |
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On the personal side... Tom is very active in the community and serves as both Councilman and Vice Mayor for the city of Richmond. He is also an animal lover, and currently has seven pet goats. |
117 Park Place . Point Richmond, CA 94801
Tel. 510.236.7435
© 1996-2008 Interactive Resources, All Rights Reserved
© 1996-2008 Interactive Resources, All Rights Reserved