Carrier Johnson + CULTURE Honored by Community Choice as “Most Admired” San Diego Business
Voters online choose global architecture-and-interiors firm to receive Malin Burnham Award for business with “greatest philanthropic impact” in the region.
With a longstanding commitment to the betterment of its home city and places far beyond San Diego, the global architecture, interiors and branding firm Carrier Johnson + CULTURE has been selected a winner of the 2017 Malin Burnham Awards for their philanthropic activities in the category of “Most Admired Business/Corporation.” The recognition this week comes from the community at large, with Carrier Johnson + CULTURE being selected by popular vote from a list of San Diego’s most prominent companies and corporations to receive the Malin Burnham Award for the most admired.
Gordon Carrier, AIA, NCARB, design principal and one of Carrier Johnson + CULTURE’s founders, attended the awards presentation event at the University of California-San Diego Tuesday night. “It’s a tremendous honor and a humbling one,” says Carrier. “For decades Malin Burnham’s reputation throughout the region has been as San Diego’s most highly regarded businessman and philanthropist. To receive this award with his name—and to know that area residents and business leaders voted for us—carries a lot of weight.”
“There are not sufficient words to express our gratitude,” adds Carrier.
The Malin Burnham Awards are sponsored by the nonprofit organization Reality Changers, a group devoted to transforming young people’s lives “by providing youth from disadvantaged backgrounds with the academic support, financial assistance, and leadership training to become college graduates.” The award program takes its name from the real estate developer and accomplished sailor who became widely known in the San Diego area for his business acumen and extensive charitable work. Reality Changers created the awards program to recall Burnham’s continued and generous support and to celebrate people and groups in Southern California who embody Burnham’s motto, “Community Before Self.” In this spirit, all award recipients are selected by community vote. Other nominees for the Most Admired Business award included AT&T, San Diego Gas & Electric, Swinerton Builders, and UBS Financial Services and eleven other companies with distinguished records of significant local philanthropic activity.
Carrier Johnson + CULTURE distinguished itself for this honor in large part because of a longstanding commitment to both charitable giving and volunteerism, fostered actively among the firm’s leadership and staff. In fact, a number of architects and designers with the firm volunteer directly with Reality Changers. In addition, the firm is well known for a focus on supporting major charitable events, such as the recent Open House San Diego. Carrier Johnson + CULTURE’s principals — Gordon Carrier, FAIA, NCARB, and Michael Johnson, AIA, NCARB, along with managing principal Vincent Mudd — are also well known for their commitment to building design and urban planning that results in active and inclusive environments blending creativity, art, and social expression with sustainable economic development.
The honor was compounded shortly after the awards program by a commendation letter to the firm from Myrtle Cole, President of San Diego’s Fourth District Council, in recognition of the “Most Admired” award. Written on behalf of the Fourth District and of the City, the letter expresses gratitude to Carrier Johnson + CULTURE for “countless contributions toward making San Diego a world-class city for all.”
Other awards were presented to the Most Admired Public Leader, Most Admired News Outlet, and similar honors for foundations and service organizations. Proceeds from fundraising for the Malin Burnham Awards will help Reality Changers reach their target of $2 million to increase the number of first-generation college students in San Diego.
About Carrier Johnson + CULTURE
Reflecting a new focus in the practice of architecture and design, Carrier Johnson + CULTURE is reinventing a model for the future of designed environments. As a design-centric practice focused on the merger of architecture, interior design and strategic branding, Carrier Johnson + CULTUREworks in partnership with market leaders in higher education, hospitality, healthcare, civic life, mixed-use development to deliver meaningful design innovation in building, living, wellness, and communication solutions. Our focus on solutions steeped in authenticity, reflects the unique three-dimensional brand opportunity of each commission. Visit www.carrierjohnson.com.
