Marshall Strabala
Encyclopedia
Jay Marshall Strabala is an American
architect
who has been recognized with participating in the design of notable buildings, including as a member of the team that designed the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, in Dubai
, United Arab Emirates
. However, in June 2011, two of Strabala's former architectural firm employers sued him alleging that he had "misrepresented" the role he played in various projects.
in design from the University of California, Los Angeles
. In 1988, Strabala graduated with an Master of Architecture
from Harvard Graduate School of Design
.
(SOM) in Chicago
, Illinois
, for 19 years. He ultimately was made an associate partner in charge of design.
While at SOM, Strabala served as the studio head under lead architect Adrian Smith
in working on the design of Burj Khalifa (Dubai
, 2009), which is the tallest building in the world. Strabala also worked under Smith as one of the two studio heads over the course of the project in designing the 828 m. tall Nanjing Greenland Financial Center (Nanjing
, China, 2010). Also while at SOM, Strabala participated in the design of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
(Hong Kong
, 1997).
Strabala left SOM in 2006. In a 2007 interview, Adrian Smith alleged that Strabala was one of several architects up for, but who did not make, partner at SOM in what Smith described as "a power move by the New York office."
global architectural firm as the firm's South Central Region Director of Design in 2006. Strabala has been reported to have led the design of the 128-story Shanghai Tower while at Gensler and to have completed the "bulk of the design work". Gensler, however, claims that the tower is not Strabala's design. According to Gensler, "Gensler, not (Strabala), is the source of the architectural and design services rendered in designing the Shanghai Tower." When it is finished, the tower will become China's tallest building and the world's second-tallest building.
Strabala also has been credited for leading Gensler's efforts in designing Hess Tower (Houston, 2010) and the Houston Ballet Center for Dance (2011). However, Gensler has claimed that "'Gensler, not (Strabala), is the source of the architectural and design services rendered in designing Hess Tower'", and that Strabala was but "'one of many members of that Gensler team'" that designed the Houston Ballet Center for Dance.
Strabala left Gensler in 2010.
, 2DEFINE Architecture, with offices in Shanghai, Seoul, and Chicago. According to Strabala, he "continues to be involved in the Shanghai Tower project at the behest of the client".
One day later, SOM also sued Strabala alleging that he was "falsely claiming credit for work that originated with the company, including the designs for three of the 10 tallest buildings in the world."
Strabala and his attorneys have filed motions to dismiss both lawsuits.
Zoning Committee against a high-rise development at 840 Lake Shore Drive
in Chicago, Illinois. Strabala lived nearby and was concerned that the high-rise would be "out of scale with the neighborhood". Despite opponents' efforts, and that the project would "flout existing law", the Zoning Committee amended the ordinance allowing the project to proceed even though it contradicted zoning ordinances.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
who has been recognized with participating in the design of notable buildings, including as a member of the team that designed the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
. However, in June 2011, two of Strabala's former architectural firm employers sued him alleging that he had "misrepresented" the role he played in various projects.
Education
Strabala received his bachelor of artsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in design from the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. In 1988, Strabala graduated with an Master of Architecture
Master of Architecture
The Master of Architecture is a professional degree in architecture, qualifying the graduate to move through the various stages of professional accreditation that result in receiving a license.-Overview:...
from Harvard Graduate School of Design
Harvard Graduate School of Design
The Harvard Graduate School of Design is a graduate school at Harvard University offering degrees in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning and Design.-History:...
.
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
After graduating with his master's degree, Strabala worked at Skidmore, Owings and MerrillSkidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP is an American architectural and engineering firm that was formed in Chicago in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings; in 1939 they were joined by John O. Merrill. They opened their first branch in New York City, New York in 1937. SOM is one of the largest...
(SOM) in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, for 19 years. He ultimately was made an associate partner in charge of design.
While at SOM, Strabala served as the studio head under lead architect Adrian Smith
Adrian Smith (architect)
Adrian D. Smith is an American architect who has designed skyscrapers including the Burj Khalifa, Jin Mao Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower, as well as the proposed Kingdom Tower for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.-Education:...
in working on the design of Burj Khalifa (Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, 2009), which is the tallest building in the world. Strabala also worked under Smith as one of the two studio heads over the course of the project in designing the 828 m. tall Nanjing Greenland Financial Center (Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, China, 2010). Also while at SOM, Strabala participated in the design of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is one of the two major convention and exhibition venues in Hong Kong, along with AsiaWorld-Expo. It is located in Wan Chai North, Hong Kong Island. Built along the Victoria Harbour, it is linked by covered walkways to nearby hotels and commercial...
(Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, 1997).
Strabala left SOM in 2006. In a 2007 interview, Adrian Smith alleged that Strabala was one of several architects up for, but who did not make, partner at SOM in what Smith described as "a power move by the New York office."
Gensler
After leaving SOM, Strabala joined the Houston, Texas, office of GenslerGensler
Gensler is an American design and architecture firm headquartered in San Francisco, California. The firm was founded in 1965 by Art Gensler, Drue Gensler, and James Follett, and originally focused on corporate interiors...
global architectural firm as the firm's South Central Region Director of Design in 2006. Strabala has been reported to have led the design of the 128-story Shanghai Tower while at Gensler and to have completed the "bulk of the design work". Gensler, however, claims that the tower is not Strabala's design. According to Gensler, "Gensler, not (Strabala), is the source of the architectural and design services rendered in designing the Shanghai Tower." When it is finished, the tower will become China's tallest building and the world's second-tallest building.
Strabala also has been credited for leading Gensler's efforts in designing Hess Tower (Houston, 2010) and the Houston Ballet Center for Dance (2011). However, Gensler has claimed that "'Gensler, not (Strabala), is the source of the architectural and design services rendered in designing Hess Tower'", and that Strabala was but "'one of many members of that Gensler team'" that designed the Houston Ballet Center for Dance.
Strabala left Gensler in 2010.
Formation of new firm
After leaving Gensler, Strabala started his own architectural firmArchitectural firm
An architectural firm is a company which employs one or more licensed architects and practices the profession of architecture.- History :Architects have existed since early in recorded history. The earliest recorded architects include Imhotep and Senemut . No writings exist to describe how these...
, 2DEFINE Architecture, with offices in Shanghai, Seoul, and Chicago. According to Strabala, he "continues to be involved in the Shanghai Tower project at the behest of the client".
Litigation concerning attribution of credit
In June 2011, Gensler, sued Strabala alleging that after founding his own firm he "'misrepresented the nature of his contribution, if any, to certain design projects while intentionally minimizing or entirely omitting the nature of Gensler's contribution.'"One day later, SOM also sued Strabala alleging that he was "falsely claiming credit for work that originated with the company, including the designs for three of the 10 tallest buildings in the world."
Strabala and his attorneys have filed motions to dismiss both lawsuits.
Local involvement
In 1999, Strabala, speaking as a private citizen as part of a community group, testified before the Chicago City CouncilChicago City Council
The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 aldermen elected from 50 wards to serve four-year terms...
Zoning Committee against a high-rise development at 840 Lake Shore Drive
Lake Shore Drive
Lake Shore Drive is a mostly freeway-standard expressway running parallel with and alongside the shoreline of Lake Michigan through Chicago, Illinois, USA. Except for the portion north of Foster Avenue , Lake Shore Drive is designated as part of U.S...
in Chicago, Illinois. Strabala lived nearby and was concerned that the high-rise would be "out of scale with the neighborhood". Despite opponents' efforts, and that the project would "flout existing law", the Zoning Committee amended the ordinance allowing the project to proceed even though it contradicted zoning ordinances.