Gary Martinez : President and CEO

Over the past thirty years of professional practice in architecture, Mr. Martinez has developed an internationally recognized expertise in the design of performing arts centers and the restoration and adaptive re-use of historic landmark structures. As a founding partner of Martinez & Johnson I Architecture, he has directed the growth and activities of the firm, executing projects involving landmark theatres and institutional structures.

Working with the leading promoters and producers of Broadway theatre, Mr. Martinez has developed a special expertise in creation of multi-faceted performing arts centers. He is currently executing theatrical commissions throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Having opened the Boston Opera House and the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto, for the Blue Man Group, in the past year, current projects include opera house/performing arts centers for St. Louis, El Paso, and Chicago. A multi-venue facility consisting of an 1800 facility for ballet and dance and a 2600-seat Broadway-style house for Salt Lake City is under design. In Las Vegas, Mr. Martinez is leading the design effort for the creation of a 7000-seat music venue capable of being modified and reduced to 3000 seats on an as- needed basis for varying shows and conferences.

A frequent speaker and lecturer at conferences and summits on theatre design and restoration, Mr. Martinez has presented papers in the U.S. and Canada. Featured at the Association of Preservation and Technology's annual conference in Halifax Nova Scotia, he introduced newly developed techniques for the use of 3D laser scanning technologies in theatre design. As a sponsor of the 'China Summit for Modern Theatre Design", he has presented current innovations in the design of performing arts centers for touring Broadway shows.

Acting on a strongly held belief in the leadership role of architecture in creating a safe, well-built environment, Mr. Martinez has led his firm in its participation in community planning activities. Various projects such as the development of portable emergency shelters for homeless persons in the District of Columbia and the pro bono representation to the Historic Preservation Review Board of applicants who might otherwise be unable to afford such professional services, exemplify this activist stand.

Education

Harvard Graduate School of Design
Continuing Education - "Theatres for the 21st Century"
University of Maryland,
Bachelor of Architecture, 1976
Bachelor of Science, Urban Design and Planning, 1976

Professional

Federal City Council of Washington, DC
Affiliations NCARB National Registration Active in Washington, DC
Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Illinois, Vermont, Ontario Canada
American Institute of Architects
AIA Professional Practice Committee
National Trust for Historic Preservation
League of Historic American Theatres
Washington, DC Association of Realtors
Capitol Hill Business Association
Chevy Chase Fire Corporation - Board of Directors

Selected Projects

Performing Arts Centers

Kiel Opera House Complex, St. Louis, MO
The El Paso Plaza Theatre, El Paso, TX
The Boston Opera House, Boston, MA
The Eutaw Performing Arts Center, Baltimore, MD
The Warner Theatre, Washington, DC
The Panasonic Theatre, Toronto, Canada
The Midland Theatre, Kansas City, MO
The Uptown Theatre, Chicago, IL
The Paramount Theatre, Charlottesville, VA

Commercial

The Gallup Building, 901 F Street, Washington, DC
509 Seventh Street, NW, Washington, DC
1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
The Homer Building, Washington, DC
The Army-Navy Club Building, Washington, DC
Naval Systems Command Competition, Fairfax, VA
The Bond Building, Washington, DC

Residential

Alban Towers Apartments, Washington, DC
Summit Grand Parc Apartments, Washington, DC
Congress Hotel, Baltimore, MD
The Woodward Building, Washington, D.C.
Rhode Island Avenue Lofts, Washington D.C.

Institutional

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Organization, Wash., DC
Brazilian Naval Commission, Washington, DC
Royal Thai Chancery, Georgetown, Washington, DC
The University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, PA
Center for Public Administration & Service, Washington, DC
American Psychological Association HQ, Washington, DC
The American Geophysical Union Headquarters, Wash., DC
Embassy of Argentina, Washington, DC