Tom Savory, FAIA
Lecturer
Contact
School of Architecture
Office: 803-422-6245
Email: tmsavor@clemson.edu
Education
Master of Architecture, University of Michigan (1984); Bachelor of Arts, Architecture, Clemson University (1981)
In addition to his academic role, Tom has practiced architecture for 40 years, primarily focused on public higher education and civic projects. From 1998 to 2021, Tom was a founding principal of Watson Tate Savory Architecture, during which time his projects received more than 65 design awards from the American Institute of Architects, including the 2016 winning competition entry for the AIA South Carolina Center for Architecture, and have been published in Architecture magazine, the Cambridge Architectural Press and dozens of regional publications. While with Richard Meier & Partners from 1990-1996, internationally renowned projects to which Tom contributed substantially included the Alfonse D’Amato US Courthouse, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art Plaza, the Neugebauer Residence, and the Rachofsky House. Tom has served on more than 15 professional design awards juries, and as chair on 10 AIA juries, including WV, NH, IN, TN and AIA Detroit. In 2018 Tom was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows, in Object One: Design, as the second-only SC architect to be elevated in that category. He currently serves as chair of the AIA SC Fellows Committee and as Regional Representative to the College of Fellows. Tom co-founded the Columbia Design League with his wife, Adrienne Montare, FAIA, in 1997, on which they co-presented at the 2017 AIA National Convention. Through CDL, he has brought dozens of nationally renowned architects and designers to present and engage with diverse local audiences. Tom is a lifelong advocate of architects engaging as leaders in their communities. As such, his civic roles have included chairing the Columbia, SC, Design/Development Review Commission and serving on numerous boards including Leadership Columbia, Historic Columbia Foundation, Columbia Museum of Art, the Cultural Council of Richland & Lexington Counties, the SC Mayor’s Institute, and the “One Columbia” Public Art Selection Committee. Tom has a passion for modern architectural history in his region and is a past keynote speaker for the SC Historic Preservation Conference on “Columbia’s Modernist Legacy,” resulting from his own original research.
Selected Professional Works
Journal Articles & Book Chapters (Published)
See Curriculum Vitae link above for publications.
