Firm Profile
Landau Harding is nationally recognized for its design expertise in religious architecture. Our firm is committed to quality architectural design that is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and of lasting value. Our approach to design is based upon intense dialogue and collaboration. We believe that only by listening closely to our clients and understanding their perspective can we be successful in transforming their visions into significant architecture. We are proficient, effective leaders of demanding projects of all types and sizes. We draw inspiration from challenges to create design solutions that meet current and future program requirements, are tailored to our client’s need and budget, and produce coherent and dynamic architecture that evokes timeless values.
Landau Harding’s design work has been recognized nationally through awards, publications and exhibitions. Our projects have received over 50 design excellence awards, including 20 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Landau Harding brings a national perspective to the design of religious buildings. Founding partners Michael Landau, AIA and Paul Harding, FAIA have over 50 years of combined experience in the planning, design, and construction of worship facilities. Both have served as the national Chair of the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture, the knowledge community of the American Institute of Architects dedicated to advancement of the worship facility design. Landau Harding’s expertise also incorporates the latest thinking in sustainable design. We work with our clients to adopt the ‘green’ building strategies that allow them to be good stewards of the environment as well as the financial resources of the congregation.
Landau Harding is known for providing quality professional services which deliver well-constructed buildings. The firm’s size and unique blend of experience allow for direct, continuous involvement in each project by both partners and associates. The success of our projects is a result of a total design effort and a thorough professional service that responds to the needs our clients.
Michael Landau
Since the mid-1970’s Michael has designed numerous Synagogue projects ranging from renovations to complete new facilities. He has been recognized nationwide for both design excellence, and appropriate, functional creative solutions that reflect the Congregations physical needs, character and vision for the future.
After designing a Synagogue for his architectural thesis and following seven years in New York City working with internationally famous architects, [Marcel Breuer & Associates and Mitchell /Giurgola Associates] he started his own practice in Raleigh, NC while teaching Design at NC State University. This arrangement provided the opportunity to pursue his interest in Synagogue Architecture.
From 1982 until 1988, Michael Landau was the principal architectural designer for a large architectural/engineering firm specializing in design of R & D facilities. Major projects included work for Procter and Gamble, American Cyanamid, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly and numerous projects for Rutgers University.
Mr. Landau’s design for the 400,000 square foot Robert M. Schaeberle Technology center for Nabisco Brands in East Hanover, New Jersey, was the winner of a design competition and was awarded the “1986 Lab of the Year” Award by Research and Development magazine. He was recognized as an innovative designer who can address complex functional requirements with appropriate, creative and humanistic solutions.
In 1988 he re-established his own firm, Michael Landau Associates [now Michael Landau Architects], a multi-disciplinary Architectural firm in Princeton, NJ, with a primary interest in contributing his talents to creating meaningful spiritual environments. He has subsequently been involved in over 40 Synagogue commissions and is an expert in understanding individual Congregational priorities and character. There is a dynamic process in educating Congregants and artistically interpreting their visions and aspirations
Education:
University of Virginia, B. Arch., 1965
Registration:
Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin
NCARB Registration
Professional:
American Institute of Architects
Affiliations:
IFRAA [Interfaith Forum on Religious Art & Architecture]
Knowledge Community of the AIA
Chairman Advisory Group 2007
New Jersey Society of Architects
Princeton Regional Planning Board
New Jersey Federation of Planning Officials
Faculty Position:
North Carolina State University, School of Design
Studio Instructor and Visiting Assistant Professor of Architecture
University of Virginia, School of Architecture, Visiting Speaker and New Jersey Institute of Technology, Visiting Critic
Ohio State University, Visiting Critic
Awards
Laboratory of the Year for Nabisco Brands Technology Center 1986 – Research & Development Magazine
1st Place, Virginia Brick and Tile Association, Architecture Award Second Place, Solite Competition
Congregation Beth El, Charlotte, NC
1991 – NJSA Honor Award
Congregation Micah, Nashville, TN
IFRAA [Interfaith Forum on Religious Art & Architecture] – 1998 International Honor Award
American Institute of Steel Construction [AISC]
1998 Award of Excellence
City of Nashville, TN – 1998 Excellence in Development
Merrill Lynch, Towson, MD
Building Congress & Exchange
2001 Craftsmanship Award
IFRAA [Interfaith Forum on Religious Art & Architecture]
2004 Award of Excellence
Publications
AIA Journal, North Carolina AIA Bulletin, Wall Street Journal
New Jersey Society of Architects Magazine
Perspecta – Yale Architectural Journal
Progressive Architecture
Fortune
Reform Judaism Magazine
Synagogue Architecture in America – Stolzman
American Synagogue – Gruber
Architecture of the Gods Book II – Crosbie
Paul Harding
Paul Harding, FAIA is the founding partner of Harding Partners architects. His architecture is one of simplicity, strength, and the creative use of daylight. Religious architecture is a significant part of his work. For these projects Paul undertakes in-depth research that explores architectural symbolism on one hand and cost-effective construction innovation on the other. Paul’s work derives its richness in part through celebrating the practical necessities of construction.
Paul Harding received his Master of Architecture Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Ball State University. Prior to founding Harding Partners, he was Senior Architect at Murphy/Jahn and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
Paul’s work has received 48 national, state, and local design awards, including 18 from the American Institute of Architects. His work has been published in over 15 articles, appearing in various magazines including Architectural Record, World Architecture, Architecture and Faith & Form. Three of his projects were featured in Michael Crosbie’s book on religious architecture, Architecture for the Gods Book II.
Paul is a past chair of the National Advisory Committee for the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture, an AIA Knowledge Community composed of over 4,000 ministry members and design professionals. He was a contributor and past editor of the IFRAA Journal. Paul was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects for his contributions to the profession of architecture. The citation reads, “A designer who has significantly advanced the character and quality of religious buildings, he serves a culturally diverse clientele, often with limited funds, to create spaces that celebrate the uniqueness of each client and project.â€
Education:
Ball State University, B. Arch., 1975
University of Pennsylvania, M. Arch., 1983
University of Venice Institute of Architecture, 1983
Registrations:
Illinois, Indiana, California, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire
NCARB Registration
Professional:
American Institute of Architects
Affiliations
IFRAA (Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture)
Knowledge Community of the AIA
Chairman Advisory Group 2005 – 2010
Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy
United States Green Building Council