John Portman recognized for body of work

ATLANTA, GA – September, 2009 – Atlanta architect and developer, John Portman was honored at the 2009 Governor’s International Awards held as part of the Atlanta World Showcase at the Cobb Galleria on September 17th. Citing his impressive and continuing body of work, as well as a lifetime’s commitment to international leadership in connecting people with their physical environment, Craig Lesser, Chairman of the World Trade Center of Atlanta, presented Mr. Portman with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In accepting the award, Mr. Portman recalled a pivotal trip to Brasilia, Brazil that inspired him to strive to create the antithesis of what he saw there by developing his architecture theory around the human scale. His work became known for the “people places” it creates. From the first international project in Europe to today’s projects throughout Asia, the architectural firm he founded, John Portman & Associates, designs culturally sensitive places that are livable, stimulating and sustainable, thus transcending international borders by striving for universal human appeal.

The World Trade Center Atlanta hosted the awards dinner in conjunction with the Atlanta Business Chronicle.