Charles Tapley Essay

266 Words1 Page

Born to Julie and John Tapley in New Orleans, Louisiana, Charles Tapley grew up in Houston, Texas and started his professional career there. He earned a degree in architecture at Rice University in 1955. Tapley worked in three architecture and landscape architecture offices before becoming a registered architect in 1960 and a registered landscape architect in 1970 in Texas.

Tapley began his own practice Charles Tapley & Associate in 1960. Encompassing urban planning, sustainability, environmental preservation and conservation, his firm was recognized for numerous designs throughout Houston. In the early 1970s, his firm helped developed the 6.3 mile long Buffalo Bayou Park, which is now 160 acres of stunning views, trails, hikes, riparian plantings, and natural landscapes. The park includes a tributary named after Tapley as well, demonstrating wetland habitat benefits. His passion for waterways and open space continued to show in his other design. Tranquility Park, built in 1979 in the heart of downtown Houston, beautifully incorporates open space with water, lighting, and a mixture of materials, also honoring the first manned landing on the moon. …show more content…

He hired and advised many talented architects throughout Houston and was an adjunct professor at both the University of Houston and Rice University.

Tapley retired in 2011. Among many other awards throughout his career, Tapley received the AIA Houston’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Thomas Jefferson Award in 2012. He was also named Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

Charles Tapley passed away on September 21, 2015 at the age of

More about Charles Tapley Essay

Open Document