As both an architect and a businessman, Rick Fawley left his imprint on the region’s built environment by designing some of its most prominent buildings.
Rick Fawley, AIA, co-founder of Fawley Bryant Architects in Lakewood Ranch, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at 65. Herald-Tribune archive, 2011 / Thomas Bender.
Among them: the Manatee County Judicial Center in downtown Bradenton, LECOM’s School of Dentistry in Lakewood Ranch, the IMG athletics field house and other structures in Bradenton, and the Herald Court mixed-use building in Punta Gorda (see home page).
Fawley, 65, who co-founded Fawley Bryant Architects 20 years ago with Mike Bryant, died Wednesday at his home. He was 65.
“Rick not only contributed significantly to our architectural profession, but also to our community, and he will be greatly missed,” said Lisa Hess, president of the Florida Gulf Coast chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Fawley Bryant is known for tackling significant public projects throughout the region from its headquarters in Energy Court in Lakewood Ranch. Recently, Fawley joined Sarasota architect Guy Peterson in unveiling the design of the finish tower to be built at Benderson Park's rowing facility.
“All of us in the architectural world who knew Rick are saddened to hear this,” said Peterson, who is the design architect for the finish tower, while Fawley Bryant is architect of record.
In 2014, Fawley was presented a Citizen Architect award from the Florida Caribbean chapter of the American Institute of Architects, on the strength of his involvement in a number of community organizations, including Goodwill Industries and he Manatee Education Foundation.
“He was a guy who gave more than he got,” said Peterson. “That was a super honor for Rick, and well-deserved.”
