Robert Perl Retirement Spotlight

The CoA wishes to formally announce the retirement of Associate Professor Robert Perl. We congratulate him on over 40 years of service to teaching at the College of Architecture and want to express our immense gratitude for the impact he has made at Texas Tech University.

In honor of his retirement, colleagues and friends have submitted memories and words of appreciation to celebrate his years of dedication and service to the CoA community, as well as Texas Tech University.

Over two decades ago, at the dusk of the previous century and the dawn of the current one, Professor Robert D. Perl and I taught, what we felt back then, an innovative architecture design studio that we dubbed "e-studio" or "internet studio." This was a studio where students posted their preliminary and final design work on public websites. A report written around our experience of that "e-studio" became my first co-authored paper and out of our collaborative efforts grew a friendship.

The internet back then still felt "newish," and certainly less corporate. We believed we could be part of the world-wide web and make a difference, especially within the world of architectural education. It was also a time when the web felt more democratic and years before any of the social media came to town.

Professor Robert D. Perl joined the Texas Tech University College of Architecture in 1979, which at that time was the "Department of Architecture", with impeccable credentials. He had earned his B. ARCH degree from the University of Cincinnati and his post-professional degree from Berkeley with an international stint in London at the Architectural Association. Professionally, he cut his architectural practice "teeth" on the west and east coast in the offices of I. M. Pei in NYC, and Skidmore Owings, & Merrill in Chicago, among others. In 1980 Bob become a licensed Architect in Texas and a member of the American Institute of Architects, where he participated and contributed to countless local AIA chapter events.

Professor Perl's expertise taught a vast array of architecture courses across the architecture curriculum from the intro to architecture class, to the graduate thesis, and any design-level studio in between. Professor Perl also served the College of Architecture as the Associate Dean for Academics during former dean, Wayne Drummond's era and he was also the Director of Information Technology during former dean, Andy Vernooy's era. In Professor Perl's media elective, he combined his lifelong interest in photography into an elective course and the art of seeing.

Bob's lifelong pursuit and interest in 'Design Methods-the HOW-TO of Design' and his genuine curiosity of almost anything led to highly fascinating and sometimes evocative conversations. As a proponent of the Socratic teaching method, instead of direct instruction, he often preferred to teach by asking questions. As a young academic, this sometimes left me puzzled, and I must admit, on some occasions also frustrated... However, after rounds of thinking over what Bob asked, it also pushed me to think in ways I hadn't before.

One of Professor Perl's talents is the art of asking questions. I imagine that there are countless students, who are now alumni and thriving professionals in the field of architecture, who might remember when Professor Perl asked them a Socratic question. Answering Professor Perl's questions wasn't always easy, and if it had been, Professor Perl would not have asked it. Not everyone was able to embrace Bob's teaching approach. Yet, those who had the patience and the energy to answer in a critical, design-thinking way, were rewarded with access to the deep and profound knowledge Professor Perl had to offer. These memories, I am sure, will live as a continuum in many students lives, as well as his colleagues. Some of the advice I received from him decades ago, as a young academic, I still deeply revere today.

Bob, I wish you only the very best for your next chapter in your life and I am looking forward to an occasional sharp question, via email or a text message, which will make me think in new ways.

Cheers!

Urs Peter "Upe" Flueckiger
Interim Dean and Professor
College of Architecture

I was a typical middle-class kid from Dallas when I entered my first class with Professor Perl. It was the standard, freshman Intro to Architecture class with 300 other students. He did not mince words at the time that likely only 30-40 of us would graduate. It seemed like a bleak effort at the time.

From there I was in his Sophomore Design Studio for two semesters. Professor Perl taught the simple work ethic of being on time, and in your seat working during the class period. Professor Perl taught design process and creativity - and it worked. He taught us to develop a concept and story, and then how to develop the design from that. I still deploy those design development tactics across our teams as a professional 35 years later. He pushed hard and demanded quality and craftsmanship - when other classes may have been focused on other items. Again, these principles are useful in the design industry to this day.

My last class with Professor Perl was an evening theory class where we read three books by Venturi, Corbu and Hubbard. I don't think I answered much correctly in that class at the time, but I have those three books on the shelf in my office to this day.

He was right about the graduation rate, and indeed about 35 of us did graduate. While chatting at the graduation reception Professor Perl shook my hand and told me that I was now a peer and that, going forward, I was to refer to him as Bob. He also explained that he believed I would have a very successful career as an architect. That was a meaningful moment. I have been able to stay in touch from time to time upon my return visits to campus. For sure we all had good times, and learned so many things while at Tech. I was well prepared for a career that has brought me wonderful successes and allowed me to experience so many amazing things.

Good luck, Bob, in retirement. Well deserved. Your lessons will live on...

Barry Hand, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Class of 1990

When I came to interview at Texas Tech and was waiting in Dallas for my flight to Lubbock, the American Airlines crew announced that it was the first day of 'jet' service to Lubbock. Jets were replacing propellor driven planes, and I took it to be a good omen. Lubbock airport was not too busy those days and BOB PERL was waiting for me in his pickup truck. He took me to dinner in a beautiful restaurant near the airport that had peacocks roaming around. As the sun was setting, we talked about a lot of things, especially Lubbock and West Texas. I am from Bangladesh, one of the densest and wettest places on earth, siting is a dry and sparsely populated part of the US. We hit a common theme of music, and Bob told me about the music and musicians of Lubbock. Later, when I joined TTU he remembered the conversation and gifted me some CDs of local artists. I appreciated this thoughtfulness.

Over the years, we would occasionally have 'corridor conversations.' Our building does not provide many opportunities for those. They were always interesting and would often include a different perspective to everyday events, and occasionally provide me with new ways of understanding. The most recent one was about the death of Christopher Alexander and, as usual, I got to know quite a few anecdotes that were new to me.

I wish Bob the best, and hope that we get opportunities for informal meetings as we have had for the last many years.

Dr. Saif Haq
Professor
College of Architecture

I'm sure others have shared this though I will as say that on day one of Bob's Freshman Intro to Architecture class, he asked all of us to look to those sitting on either side of our seats while making it known that two of the three of us would not make it to the end of our 5 years of architecture at Tech. I was a little taken back and perhaps amused by that at first, yet it proved to be correct. I think that Bob was nothing if not direct with young students about architecture, their work, and their careers. While he emphasized diligence and hard-work he also advised us to be mindful of ensuring that we had down time away from architecture at times, to turn it off and take a break and be well balanced. Something I often try to remember and credit Bob for that.

Bob could be a demanding design critic and I think that may have intimidated a number of young students. I know that was true for me to a degree, however, I also appreciated his casual and direct approach to treating all of us (kids really) like adults, teaching, advising, letting us learn from each other and from our mistakes. I recall one time after pulling an all-nighter and feeling somewhat happy with my efforts, Bob gave me a 'B' for a project that I felt had been 'A' material. He explained later that the design was of high quality though one of the drawing images (we used to trace them onto presentation boards in those days) was slightly crooked. This was unacceptable and diminished my design. After getting over what seemed a harsh criticism for a minor matter, I realized that he was right, and I have endeavored never to let small oversights diminish my work. This was a lesson in communication and its importance to design. I'm paraphrasing here but, Bob once shared that "you might have the best ideas in the world though, without the ability to communicate those ideas effectively they will amount to nothing." I have always remembered that and share that truth with colleagues often crediting Bob Perl with making an important impression on me as a student and later as an architect.

Robert Harris, FAIA, LEED Fellow
Class of 1988

Bob Perl is one of those professors that you never forget. You fondly remember both good stories and some not so good! He taught the introductory architecture class my freshman year and the first day he had us all scared that the attrition process would eliminate most of us. I remember him telling us it would be hard to survive if we had a job and as someone who had to work to put myself through school this was intimidating to hear on day one. But he was right.

Intimidating might be a perfect word for Bob as he is wired to always point out things that are incorrect or could be improved. While in school, a few students and myself created a student written AIAS newsletter. I was the co-editor the first year and we spent countless hours crafting these documents and every time we distributed one, we would get a copy from Bob soon after with so many blood-red marks pointing out mistakes or challenging an idea that was presented. At the time we would get angry, try to laugh it off or even resent it but looking back you realize he wanted everyone to strive for perfection and had the guts to always let it be known when something was amiss. No one else took the time to formally create such thorough feedback.

Me and my closest classmates still tell stories of silly mistakes we made that no one would catch except for Bob. He had an eagle eye, nothing slipped by during a review. There were no class favorites, everyone was treated equally and were challenged to accept the inevitable shortcomings of our projects. It made me try harder on every project and although many had issues with his approach, anyone with thick skin learned more from him than they are willing to admit.

It took me several years but towards the end of my time at TTU we worked up to a mutual respect where I could weather the tough commentary but also stand my ground at times. This is the mark of a great teacher-student relationship. With Bob it was never easy but as it is often said nothing good comes easy. Years later I spent a few years teaching at the college and it was refreshing to me that Bob treated his colleagues the same way - equally challenging everyone to do things correctly.

In summary, I probably learned more from Bob during my time at TTU than anyone even though it was through surviving the attrition.

Darwin Harrison
Architect
Class of 1990

Bob Perl's introduction to architecture class my freshman year confirmed I had chosen the right profession. As a 17-year-old from a small, rural farming community, I had no real way to know if architecture was for me as I entered the program. He helped me see it was it was so much more than I imagined. I knew then this was the pursuit worthy of devoting my professional life. I came to understand the power of design thinking in his sophomore design studio. It was a revelation. I have come to realize that as he was equipping us with the means of creating architecture, he was also conveying a way to think about the world. He has remained a deep influence on how I think, and particularly how I process complexities. I will be forever grateful.

Godspeed, Bob Perl, in this next chapter in your life.

Dan Hart, FAIA, PE
Class of 1990

Professor Perl taught one of the first e-studios in architecture, and I had the privilege of being one of the first students to experiment with him in this novel approach that would foreshadow the way many of us recently worked through the pandemic. I recall the intense conversations I had with him through studio, into Research Methods, and eventually while he was advising during my thesis work. Professor Perl provoked self-reflection and critique through his relentless questioning of our methodologies and approach--something that I appreciate as foundational to my r+d exploration in professional practice. Bob introduced me to the computer in a way that would change the way I approach practice and influence a hybrid analog-digital approach that I use today. We also talked music, a lot. Bands we followed, music that inspired us, bands that slept on his couch when they played Lubbock in his early years as a new professor. In recent years, I had the opportunity to visit Bob Bruno's Steel House with Professor Perl and talk design technology after a DLA panel discussion. Enjoy your retirement Professor.

Heath May, AIA
Class of 2003

Bob Perl changed my life! After wanting to be an architect from the age of 5, Bob Perl was one of the first people I met that actually was talking about architecture and its importance. From the first week of "Intro to Architecture" my freshman year he introduced me to thoughts and issues about architecture that I had never considered. I was enthralled with the topics of his lectures. He also was the first person that introduced me to Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates. That was a firm that I worked at for 15 years and ultimately became a partner. I took several of his design studios and seminar classes and learned critical thinking and the importance of details. I learned how to think about what I was designing in a way that has lasted for thirty-two years in the architecture profession.

It is faculty like Bob Perl that brings out the best in people; forces them to think differently; impacts their lives; and helps make them better architects. And to this day, we still tell great Bob Perl stories...

Thanks "Mr. Perl" for a great life.

Douglas Moss AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Class of 1990

I remember Bob letting his sophomore class know (quite loudly) that it was "too early to stipple" shortly after the assignment of a quick design exercise when some ambitious soul began stippling a drawing within 5 minutes. I use that phrase to this day when someone gets out over their skis too quickly when solving not just a design problem, but any problem that requires careful thought and consideration. Get your thoughts in order before you take too much action. I enjoyed his lectures and valued his insight even when it stung a little. My final year I was privileged to spend time working with him on his underground air-cooling research project. I learned more about reporting and discipline in that very fun elective than many other classes. All the best Bob, and thanks for the knowledge and passion you shared with all of us.

David M. Pierce, AIA, LEED AP
Class of 1990

I had the pleasure of having an office across from Bob's last semester. This precipitated many interactions and discussions with him through which I got to know him and hear about his extensive experiences in CoA, Texas Tech and beyond. Bob is an excellent faculty member who contributed substantially to the college and the university and who can claim many generations of successful graduates who are now having numerous positive impacts on our communities. I am very disappointed that I did not get the chance to work with him more, to know him better and to learn from the deep experiences he has to offer. I wish him the best for this well-deserved next chapter in his life and hope he continues to be engaged with CoA.

Dr. Hazem Rashed-Ali
Associate Dean for Research and Innovation
Associate Professor
College of Architecture

A hearty congratulations to Associate Professor Robert Perl on his retirement. I transferred to Texas Tech and began my degree in architecture in the fall of 1982. The first design studio I took was with Bob who was, as you can imagine, somewhat younger looking then. In fact, he wore pointy cowboy boots and western shirts with snaps, often decoratively festooned with a stylish bolo tie. He was the perfect introduction to architectural education for me, and he created an exciting and challenging studio experience. I received a B on my first project and after that I endeavored to labor harder on my work which benefited me as time went. During the main project for the semester, Bob would periodically call the class together and say, "the client has just changed the program and here are the new criteria you must work with." which, of course, drove the entire class crazy. Having worked in an architect's office for several years prior to enrolling in the college, I knew accommodating changes in the program was a valuable if not a highly realistic skill to acquire, and years later I used this same strategy in my own studios. Incidentally, my students did not like it much either. Who knew that over the years I would have the opportunity to teach with Bob on numerous occasions at many different levels, and he was always a superb colleague, thoughtful mentor, and a trusted friend. Besides teaching, Bob is one of the most knowledgeable audiophiles I have met, and retirement will give him more time to spin some of that huge collection of vinyl. Good luck, Bob and thanks for all the great memories!

Ben Shacklette
Architect + Retired Associate Professor
College of Architecture

We were sophomores at Tech when Bob Perl arrived. We were listening to rock and roll and disco and knew no better. Bob had just moved to Lubbock from Oakland California (right out of school) and he brought with him punk rock and other dangerous ideas. His teaching approach was new to us, and we appreciated how he used words like raw or cooked to describe architectural sensibilities. He turned everything on its head, and it is just what we needed. One day when we walked into our studio class with him, we were greeted by a punk band that he had convinced to come visit us the day after they had performed somewhere in town the night before. It was cool how Bob knew how to tease from them conceptual ideas about music and culture and translate that to architectural concerns in the studio. He helped us to start and publish an architectural newsletter that was at some point shut down by the dean, but it still was fun, and I think greatly contributed to who we are as citizens and architects.

I will always appreciate what Bob did for me and his influence stays with me still today.

Davis Sprinkle, AIA
Class of 1982

I got to know Bob while serving the DEI Committee. And I am so glad for the opportunity to cross his path and know him a little more. Bob is an attentive and unflinching observer of detail, both qualities I appreciated enormously in our committee work. I am grateful for his guidance to me, a result of years of committee experience. His approach was direct but caring. I always experienced him as protecting the integrity of the moment- for everyone. When he announced his retirement, I felt a generational shift in the human fabric of this place. Bob- you aren't like anyone else. I'll miss the depth of our conversations. Your biting wit and directness combined with a sincere vulnerability are a rare combination. I wish you the happiest of retirements.

Lesley Nall Washington, JD
Executive Director + Instructor
College of Architecture

Congratulations to Bob Perl upon his retirement from the College of Architecture. I have worked with Bob ever since he joined the faculty in 1979. Bob and I taught 2nd years studios for several years and were reviewers for each other sections of the studio. Bob had the respect of his students, and he was very thorough in his requirements for the project requirements and the students learned much from those exercises as it was displayed in their upper-level classes. Bob also taught 3rd year studio and I often was a reviewer for those studio projects. I was always impressed with his patience with the students and the work that his students produced. Later, Bob taught Research Methods and Programming at the 4th year level. He was one of, if not, the best faculty teaching these courses. These were intensive, research-finding courses and the students were afforded the best information on how to conduct research and apply it to programming projects. I always knew that students who took Bob's courses would have the most complete and expansive program as they came into my Thesis Studio, and I applaud Bob for his dedication to teaching and encouraging students to put their best efforts into the written program.

I have enjoyed being a colleague with Bob and thank him for being a supporter of my tenure as Dean of the College. I wish you the best, Bob, and for the many years of service to the College and for keeping us on track with Operating Procedures and creating a strong, first-class, nationally known College of Architecture.

Jim White, AIA
Professor Emeritus and Former Dean
College of Architecture