CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Four architectural firms and the late Anthony C. Platt (MAR 1969) will be honored Tuesday, June 8, by MIT and the City of Cambridge for contributions to local architecture. They will receive awards at the seventh annual "Cambridge First Day at MIT," jointly planned and hosted by the Institute and the City of Cambridge.
Two of the architectural firms being honored were founded by MIT alumni: Tsoi/Kobus & Associates, Inc., whose founders included Edward Tsoi (BAR 1966), and Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, founded by Parker Symmes (SB 1947) and William Maini (SB 1951, SM 1953). Two other Cambridge firms, Carol R. Johnson Associates,Inc., and HMFH Architects, Inc., will be recognized.
"Typically, we honor two MIT-founded companies and two Cambridge companies," said Sarah E. Gallop, co-director of Government and Community Relations, who coordinates the Cambridge First Day at MIT with the city's community development department. "The event symbolizes the shoulder-to-shoulder work of MIT and Cambridge in support of the local economy."
The Cambridge First Day at MIT awards will be presented by Cambridge City Manager Robert W. Healy.
Charles M. Sullivan, Executive Director of the Cambridge Historical Commission, will present the posthumous award to Anthony C. Platt of Platt Anderson Freeman Associated Architects for outstanding contributions to urban design and historic preservation.
Host of this year's celebration is William J. Mitchell, Dean of the MIT School of Architecture and Planning. "Although presented to individuals and specific companies," he said, "the awards represent the efforts of all who are working to promote the economic and civic well-being of the City of Cambridge and in this case to advance the field of architecture." Cambridge City Councillor Kathleen L. Born will represent the City Council and participate in the awards ceremony.
Cambridge First Day at MIT was established by President Charles M. Vest in 1993 to express MIT's appreciation to the community for the productive economic partnerships that exist between the Institute and the public officials, businesses and residents of Cambridge. In the first year, MIT honored Cambridge businesses with which MIT has been working for 50 years or more. MIT then recognized minority-owned and women-owned Cambridge businesses in 1994, small Cambridge businesses in 1995, Cambridge biotechnology companies in 1996, and entrepreneurial undertakings in 1997, the first year that the City of Cambridge joined MIT in hosting the event. Last year was a salute to the culinary arts.
The 11 a.m. ceremony will take place under the tent at the MIT barbecue pits on Vassar Street.
