A foundational figure in Pittsburgh’s green building movement and an early GBA board member and Chair, William (Bill) Bates, FAIA Emeritus, NOMA, Hon.PhD, was an integral part of the community that first fueled interest and growth in sustainable building practices across the region.  

He is honored for his local, national and global impact in advancing excellence, sustainability, and diversity across the field of architecture; for inspiring the next generation of designers and builders; and for championing historic preservation.  

His many notable projects include strategic planning for PNC Firstside Operations Center, the world’s first LEED-certified financial institution; FORE Systems world headquarters in Warrendale, Pa., its European research and manufacturing facilities in Ireland, and offices across Asia, South America and Australia; Eat’n Park Hospitality Group’s first LEED-certified restaurant in Fox Chapel; and Westinghouse Electric Corporation headquarters in Pittsburgh, as well as many industrial facilities and broadcast stations across North America.  

Bill was the architect for the African Heritage Nationality Classroom at the Cathedral of Learning; served as President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIA Pennsylvania, and AIA Pittsburgh; and was the founding President of the Pittsburgh Chapter of NOMA, the National Organization of Minority Architects, helping to establish programs to advance minority representation across the profession. 

Most recently, Bill chaired the board that developed The Mosaic Apartments, a new LEED-certified affordable senior housing project in Oakland.  

An adjunct faculty member at CMU School of Architecture, Bill is currently president, Pennsylvania Architects Licensure Board, and trustee, National Trust for Historic Preservation. His many community engagements include Allegheny County Parks Foundation, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, Pittsburgh History & Landmarks, Allegheny Land Trust, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Regional Clean Cities Council, as well as commissions for Mt. Lebanon Township, City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Pittsburgh Airport Authority.