ELS Principal D. Jamie Rusin, architect, urban designer, father, author, cyclist, mentor, and great friend, passed away April 21, 2016. For over 30 years at ELS he led numerous projects with the common objective of bringing people together through great architecture and public spaces. At the office, Jamie championed a culture of open dialogue, debate, and collaboration. His admiration for academia translated directly into his leadership. Involved in every aspect of a project from the initial sketches to the final details, he knew, mentored, and learned from his teams at all levels. His core belief that innovation is a product of process opened the door for many voices to participate, making each project distinct and memorable in its own way. In the field, he was a constant student of the public realm and the people it served. His devotion to the end user provided a clarity and purpose to projects that were often complex and multi-faceted. This sensitivity to the way people interact, socialize, and enjoy the presence of others created projects with an inherent vibrancy.

Jamie will be dearly missed.

Donations in Jamie Rusin’s memory can be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research or to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

For more information please contact Ryan Call, AIA.