Clark Manus
Clark Manus, FAIA is the 2011 President of The American Institute of Architects. Manus is also CEO of San Francisco-based Heller Manus Architects and China-based Heller Manus International. As a design and urban design principal, Clark’s 30-year career has influenced the character of San Francisco’s built environment.
His depth of experience encompasses a wide range of major new and reconstruction projects including residential, commercial, civic, rehabilitation/adaptive re-use, performance facilities, retail as well as urban design plans in the San Francisco Bay Area, several U.S. cities, and in China’s largest cities, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Notable projects include San Francisco City Hall, the Infinity residences on Rincon Hill, Hotel Vitale on the Embarcadero, and a major urban design for Guangzhou. Clark is widely recognized for his expertise in complex urban, mixed-use projects, especially in difficult approval environments.
Clark is a vocal activist for community design and advocacy issues affecting policies and planning that reinforce the urban fabric of the San Francisco Bay Area region. Clark chaired Mayoral Citizens’ Advisory Committees for the downtown San Francisco Transbay Redevelopment District and Rincon Hill Residential Neighborhoods following the removal of the Embarcadero Freeway in 1992. He was also a leading figure on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Central Embarcadero revitalization after orchestrating the influential Design Assessment Team (DAT).
Clark served on the AIA California Council board of directors; also as AIA San Francisco president and chair of the AIASF’sfellowship and urban design committees. As AIA 2010 First Vice President/2011 President, he has championed issues ranging from the green code to citizen architect, to the importance of universal design. He orchestrated the theme for the 2011 AIA national convention, “Regional Design Revolution: Ecology Matters,” in addition to conceptualizing the L’Avenue Expo floor experience.
As an Institute vice president, Clark facilitated the development of the advocacy portfolio to ensure that strategic thinking would serve as the basis for action on policies. In 2009, he co-chaired the Board Strategic Direction Group, responsible for the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan and its evolution as a means to unify the AIA at every level. His leadership has strengthened alliances with the US Green Building Council, Congress for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, and the Urban Land Institute.
Clark received an MArch from the University of Pennsylvania, and dual bachelor’s degrees in environmental design and psychology from The University at Buffalo’s school of environmental design. Prior to Heller Manus Architects, he worked for the Kling Partnership in Philadelphia and at San Francisco’s KMD Architects.
