PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES

Partner in Charge with experience since 1969, founding partner with this firm since 1976.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Bob Thomas is a founding partner of Campbell Thomas & Co. Architects, founded in 1976 and a firm noted for historic preservation, energy conscious design, community development, greenways, accessible design and appropriate technology. As Partner in Charge, of numerous architectural, planning, greenway, solar, bicycle and public transportation projects and has worked with such agencies as the Fairmount Park Commission (Fairmount Water Works Master Plan, Chamounix Mansion Carriage House, Fairmount Park Bikeway and Rail Trail), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Radnor Multi-Purpose Trail), and the Montgomery County Planning Commission (Philadelphia - Valley Forge Bikeway, all four phases). All these projects have required significant planning goals, often in conflict.

Mr. Thomas’ accomplishments in historic preservation, particularly related to the revitalization of older towns and cities, led to his being appointed to the Philadelphia Historical Commission in 1998, where he served as Chair of the Architectural Committee for four years and currently serves as Chair of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Also an expert in handicapped accessibility, Mr. Thomas has applied this knowledge successfully towards historical structures such as the new elevator wing at American Swedish Historical Museum; the historic Metropolitan Baptist Church, which included the insertion of an elevator into an historic 19th century church; and Lower Merion's historic Affordable Housing for the Elderly in Bala-Cynwyd.

In recognition of his achievements and advocacy for accessibility, he was appointed to, and served as the Chair of the City of Philadelphia’s Accessibility Advisory Board for over 10 years. In this capacity he reviewed over 800 projects, assisting in the development of innovative solutions to meet the spirit of the code and law; thus resulting in a President’s Access Award. In addition to his architectural skills, Mr. Thomas previously worked as a planner for SEPTA, and has worked on the transportation-planning project of the Philadelphia Zoo Transportation Center that will serve Fairmount Park as well. His knowledge and use of public transportation is invaluable in planning sites to be accessible by all sectors of the population.

RELATED AFFILIATIONS

Accessibility Advisory Board, Phila. Dept of L&I: Former chair
American Institute of Architects: member, Preservation Comm. member
Athenaeum of Philadelphia: shareholder
Cumberland Co. (NJ) Historical Society: life member
East Coast Greenway Alliance: life member, Pa Steering Committee
Germantown Historical Society: member
GreenSpace Alliance: former steering committee member Hostelling International: life member
Lower Merion Conservancy: member
National Trust for Historic Preservation: member of Preservation Forum
Philadelphia Historical Commission: chair and architectural historian
Philadelphia Parks Alliance: vice-president, board member, tours chairman
Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia: former board member
Professional Services Management Assoc: former President, Phila. Chapter
Schuylkill River Greenway Association: member, former board chair

EDUCATION

University of Pennsylvania, Master of Architecture:  1973

University of Pennsylvania, B.S. in Architecture with honors: 1969

Cornell University: Summer Program in Historic Preservation Planning

AIA Ongoing Continuing Education Activities

RECENT AWARDS

One of 25 National “Rail-Trail Champions,” Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2011

Green Futures Achievement Award, Montgomery County Land Trust, 2009

Preservation Achievement Awards – Grand Jury Award, 2008

10th Annual Community Leadership Award, Riverbend 2006

Access Achievement Award, 2005

Bicycle Advocate of the Year Award, 2005

Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Philadelphia Award, 2004