RAY SCOTT
Principal, Scott Partnership
Orlando, FL

Provide an educational background including professional experience.

I graduated from LSU in 1973 with a Bachelor of Architecture and received a Graduate Studies Degree from Harvard. I began my professional career with W.R. Frizzell Architects in Orlando, FL. After four years, I moved to Schweizer Associates, the firm that was Frank Lloyd Wright’s southeast partner, and spent several years in their office. In 1978, I co-founded Catalyst Architecture, a firm that won multiple design awards and developed several restoration properties. In 1984 I went out on my own and founded The Scott Partnership, which offers a comprehensive menu of services in architecture, interior, graphics, planning and design.

Why did you choose LSU for your education?

In the Chicago-area high school I attended, we were required to pick an elective during our senior year so I selected drafting. My teacher in that class mentioned that I should be an architect. I think it was February at the time and minus 20 degrees outside. I had investigated southern schools (much warmer), and I had to financially handle my educational costs. LSU was in my budget range and also had some other advantages—like Pistol Pete Maravich. But above all, it had an outstanding landscape architecture program, which ranked number one in the country in 1968, and that enabled me to take numerous landscape and architectural courses.

How did your LSU degree help to prepare you for your profession?

Besides a very solid, well-diversified education, I was fortunate to have excellent design studio professors. Also, the hard work—we pulled lots of all-nighters—prepared me well for the work ethic of the business world. In addition I had a professor, Louis Faxon, who besides teaching had an active practice and was into development. This fascinated me and inspired me to strive for the master designer, builder and developer mentality.

What current or past research and projects/exhibitions have you done?

We have designed and developed numerous projects throughout Florida including retail establishment, mix-used developments, as well as health care and governmental facilities.

Please list any awards or special recognition that you have received.

Numerous AIA design awards for such projects as:
PBSJ building renovation, Orlando.
The Tavern Restaurant renovation, Winter Park, FL.
Graphic Systems Office Place, Orlando.
Valentynes Restaurant, Orlando.

NAIOP Green Building 2008 for our current office building, which we developed, designed and built.
Wrote the forward in “Staying Small Successfully: A Guide for Architects, Engineers, and Design Professionals”, by Frank A. Stasiowski, FAIA and had our firm featured.
Past President- Mid-Florida AIA 1986-1988.
Past State President-SMPS (Society of Marketing Professional Services).
Past State President AIA Florida.
Numerous National Committees.
Chair of the Loch Haven Art & Science Park, Orlando.

What are your plans for the future?

Given the state of the current economy, I would simply say “survival.” But strategically I am striving for a firm that offers architectural, interiors and graphics, as well as entities that offer engineering, development, financing, construction and purchasing. This would enable us to offer our clients a one-stop shopping experience and help us to meet all their needs. Already we’re doing a lot of that. We provide services to the hospitality, retail, mixed use, housing and office sectors and offer them a wide array of services. Our clients can have the keys handed to them at the conclusion of the process or selectively engage the services they desire. I love what I do and have the passion and desire to continue onward and assist primarily in the development process. But I also want to actively engage the architectural practice, not just to co-exist but to thrive as we grow.