February 03, 2022

Former professor James Binkley, FAIA, passed away November 27, 2021, leaving a legacy of environmental and civic stewardship. Jim held leading roles at the U.S. General Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as serving as lead architect for the U.S. Postal Service. He was awarded the AIA Thomas Jefferson Award in 2011. 

However, his greatest contribution to sustainability in the built environment occurred in his teaching. He developed and taught our Environmental Design courses for 32 years, influencing thousands of rising architects.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. on May 7, 2022, in Reston, Va. The number of in-person attendees is limited; however, Jim’s family invites you to attend by Zoom. Contact fbastress@gmail.com and a link will be sent to you before the day of the service.

The James Binkley Prize at Catholic University is awarded each spring to the students who have the best instructional projects that integrate design sustainability and technology in the Capstone Studio. Funding for this prize comes from alumni, teaching colleagues, and the Fellows of the American Institute of Architecture, of which he was a distinguished member.