Longtime Gamble House Director and Author Named Honorary Member of American Institute of Architects

Longtime Director and CEO of the historic Gamble House in Pasadena Edward “Ted” Bosley has been named an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects, the organization announced Friday.

Bosley was among three people nationwide honored with the recognition for his “exemplary service to the architecture profession,” the AIA said in a written statement.

“Honorary AIA Membership is conferred upon individuals who have made notable contributions to the advancement of the architecture profession but are not otherwise eligible for AIA membership,” according to the statement.

“In order to be considered for honorary membership, candidates must meet a host of criteria. Additionally, candidates must be nominated by a member of the AIA Board of Directors, Strategic Council, chapter leadership, or Knowledge Communities,” it continued. “Nominations are subject to the review and consideration of a jury.”

Bosely served as director and CEO of the Gamble House under University of Southern California ownership from 1992 through 2019, when he went on to form the Gamble House Conservancy.

He authored the book “Greene and Greene,” delving into the storied architecture firm, in 2000. It “remains the definitive documentation of the firm’s work,” according to the AIA statement.

“For nearly 50 years, Edward “Ted” Bosley, Hon. AIA, has vigorously promoted the importance of architecture through his preservation efforts, his teaching endeavors, and the tours he has led both at home and abroad,” the statement said. “His keen interest in the Arts and Crafts movement and the work of Greene & Greene has helped inject architecture into the context of American culture while broadening access to the firm’s influential work. In everything he does, Bosley treats architecture with the careful consideration of a practitioner and has positioned himself as one of the profession’s critical assets and allies.”

Bosley was named an honorary member of the AIA Pasadena in 1997, according to the national organization.

“Recognizing that a well-preserved landmark is meaningless unless it engages with its community and visitors through inspired interpretation, Bosley has instilled the importance of The Gamble House in more than 600 volunteer docents, countless elementary and high school students, and 25,000 annual visitors,” the statement said.

“Though not an architect, his depth of knowledge and ability to engage with the greater public advances the profession in meaningful and measurable ways,” according to the AIA statement.