Jun 30 2011
John Harold "Hal" Box, a well-known architect, educator and author, passed away May 8 at the age of 81. Box was dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin from 1976 to 1992, served as a professor there for six years, and was named professor emeritus upon retiring in 1998. In April 2011, he received the prestigious title of dean emeritus.
Born in 1929 in Commerce, Texas, Box entered the University of Texas at the age of 15 and completed the five-year architecture program at age 20. He co-founded the firm Pratt and Box in 1958. In 1960, Pratt and Box were joined by Pratt’s brother-in-law Philip Henderson, which expanded their project capabilities. In 1970, Box was asked by the University of Texas at Arlington to establish an architecture school there. He served as the chairman of the new Department of Architecture and, in 1972, became the school’s first dean. He then went on to become the dean at UT Austin, which became and remains one of the top ten architecture schools in the United States.
Also an author, Box wrote Think like an Architect, in 2007, which explains the processes of architecture and how to look at and appreciate good buildings. Box served as a mentor to many, including the Institute’s own Board Chairman Jim. W. Sealy, FAIA, who worked for Pratt, Box and Henderson in Dallas upon graduating from college.
"He was a GREAT MAN," said Sealy. " The University of Texas is one of the best schools of architecture and Hal Box made it so." The Institute expresses its condolences to the family, friends, students and colleagues of this great man. He will be missed.
