NOVEMBER 27, 2007
AIA ILLINOIS HONORS MARTHA BELL FOR DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY SERVICE

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CHICAGO, IL – Tilton, Kelly + Bell (TKB), a Chicago-based architecture and design firm, has announced that AIA Illinois, the state membership organization representing more than 4,000 architects, has awarded Martha Bell, long time Palatine resident, with the R. Buckminster Fuller Award for her commitment and service to the community.

Illinois architects gathered earlier this month at the Historic Hotel Baker in St. Charles, IL to celebrate the people and projects representing the best of 2007 and the architecture profession. The 2007 Honor Awards recognized both achievements in design and service to the profession and the community. AIA presented six awards for service and 14 awards for design. Winners were selected by a jury. Award categories are named after some of the greatest architects in our state’s history, such as Louis Sullivan, Daniel Burnham, Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe. The R. Buckminster Fuller Award recognizes the exemplary dedication of an AIA member to humanitarian concerns or social justice.

According to the AIA selection jury, “Martha Bell has made service to her community a hallmark of her career. Her passion for community service has been clearly shown, however, in her dedicated efforts to improve the public realm of her community. She has distinguished herself in numerous other pro bono architecture projects and educational and social endeavors and has truly demonstrated a spirit of caring and love for her community.”

Bell’s volunteer community involvement includes ten years as chairperson of the Downtown Palatine Redevelopment Commission, fourteen years on the William Rainey Harper College Educational Foundation including a term as president, ten years as chairperson of the Harper College Arts Committee and a variety of other community roles related to the physical environment, human services and education. Her firm has provided architectural services for local institutions including Palatine Township, the Palatine Library, Northwest Community Healthcare, PHD, and the Palatine Opportunity Center.

“My dedication of time and talent stems from my belief in the values of education and community,” said TKB principal, Martha A. Bell. “I’ve lived in Palatine for nearly thirty years. During that time, Palatine has built upon its historical roots and its early suburban growth into a vital, diverse and forward-looking community. It’s very rewarding to have been a small part of that”, she continued.

As chairperson of the Downtown Palatine Redevelopment Commission, Bell was instrumental in forming the basis for Palatine’s downtown renaissance. Under her leadership, the village completed a downtown study, articulating the direction for public improvements and private development. At Bell’s urging, the village took the lead role in development of the new Metra train station, creating a worthy focal point in the downtown area.

As liaison to the Palatine Beautification Committee and the Palatine Economic Development Commission, Bell coordinated downtown improvements with the Palatine Beautification Committee’s landscaping activities and the successful efforts to establish Towne Square. She also participated with the Palatine Economic Development Commission’s efforts to encourage business and marketing efforts for downtown, and appeared on numerous occasions before the village board to advise on issues related to Palatine’s downtown.

“Personally, I can’t think of a person more worthy of this award,” said Rita L. Mullins, Village of Palatine Mayor. “Palatine will always be grateful to Martha Bell for her dedication, insight and professional service. Because of her sincere commitment to the Village of Palatine, our residents will be forever thankful”.

Tilton, Kelly + Bell (TKB) is a service-oriented, woman-owned architecture and interior design firm. Its diverse clientele includes corporations, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, real estate brokers, and major developers. TKB’s collaborative problem-solving approach has earned numerous design awards from the American Institute of Architects at the national, state, and local levels.