Malibu resident Navy F. Banvard was presented with a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Ohio State University on Sept. 5.
Banvard graduated from OSU’s Knowlton School of Architecture in 1982. He soon moved to Los Angeles, where he began working with noted architect Johannes Van Tilburg. In 1994 the two, along with Gustaf Soderbergh, founded VTBS Architects, an award-winning design firm based in Santa Monica.
Banvard has been responsible for several large-scale projects, including The Grand Club in St. Andrews, Scotland, the Alexan Savoy luxury apartments in Los Angeles and the University Village senior care facility in Thousand Oaks. Banvard’s diverse portfolio of work includes multifamily, mixed-use, commercial office and senior housing developments as well as land planning assignments. His multifamily and mixed-use work includes the design of more than 125 completed projects, providing more than 40,000 homes for many segments of the market, including senior, affordable, student and luxury communities.
Additionally, Banvard has presented educational seminars to prominent members of the building industry and other design professionals. He belongs to several professional organizations, including the American Planning Association, the Congress for New Urbanism, the Urban Land Institute and the Building Industry Association. Banvard’s projects have garnered more than 30 industry design awards.
Banvard supports many charities, organizations, academic institutions and public causes.
His gift to OSU aided in the creation of the Banvard Gallery, an exhibition space within Knowlton Hall dedicated to displaying thought-provoking installations with particular relevance to the disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, and city and regional planning.
Banvard and his wife, Rachael, have two children.