Frank, Richard C.

Preservation architect and planner.

Richard C. Frank, preservation architect, directed over 700 projects throughout the United States during the course of his 40-year career including the restoration and renovation of the State Capitol and the Governor's Summer Residence on Mackinac Island. Frank is credited as being as being the "Father of Preservation" in the state of Michigan for his research, analysis, and design of plans to revitalize these historically significant buildings.

Plans to renovate and restore the State Capitol began in 1982. Selected as lead architect, Richard C. Frank assembled a variety of experts consisting of the country"s outstanding restoration professionals, architects, and engineers. Over fifteen years later, the long, detailed process of rejuvenating the capitol was completed. In the end, Frank's work serves to preserve the historical significance of this state monument. Restoration of the Capitol received numerous awards including the A.I.A. Michigan Award of Honor, National Trust Honor Award, and President's Award through the Michigan Historic Preservation Network in 1992.

Richard C. Frank also oversaw the restoration and renovation of Michigan Governor's Summer Residence. Similar his work on the capitol, Frank prepared the master architecture plan through extensive research and analysis with the help of many consultants.

Richard C. Frank, preservation architect and planner, directed over 700 projects in 28 states during the course of his 40-year career, including the restoration of Fort Michilimackinac, Orchestra Hall in Detroit, Historic Crossroads Village of Genesee County, the Smithsonian Institution's Art and Industries Building, and the Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress. He is credited as being the "Father of Preservation" in the state of Michigan and helped raise public awareness about the value of the historic architecture and preservation.

Richard Frank received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Michigan in 1953 and served as an adjunct professor at Michigan's College of Architecture and Urban Planning. He was elected to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 1974 and received the A.I.A. Michigan Gold Medal in 1992. The Frank papers at the Bentley Historical Library cover Frank's work as owner of Preservation / Urban Design / Incorporated and his later work as an FAIA architect after leaving P/UD/I in 1984.

Richard Frank died January 28th, 2008, in Detroit, Michigan.