Duke, Buford, Jr., 1938-2000

Buford Woodrow Duke, Jr., practicing architect, member of the American Institute of Architects and later Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, was born on June 17, 1938 in Dallas, Texas and died on February 3, 2000 after suffering a heart attack in Austin. Buford Duke studied architecture at Arlington State College (Texas) before transferring to The University of Texas at Austin in 1959, where he received a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1962. After graduating, he worked as a designer for six years before starting his own firms in Springfield, Virginia: Gwathmey-Duke (1968-1973) and Winesett-Duke (1973-1974). In 1974, Winesett-Duke joined with Benham and Blair in Falls Church, Virginia to establish Benham-Blair-Winesett-Duke. Duke stayed with the expanded Benham Group until 1985, designing several award-winning projects, including the State of California Office Building in Sacramento, California.

Throughout his career, Duke published in several architectural and energy-conscious journals (including Industrial Research and Development, Underground Space, and Journal of the American Institute of Architects ). Duke was often an invited lecturer at organizations, including the United States Air Force Research Division, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Through energy-efficient designs, he won first place in design competitions three times - one for his work with the Advanced Air Base Planning Programs at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D. C. and two for the Sacramento State Office Building.

Duke joined the faculty of the School of Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) in 1981 as a Visiting Associate Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1983. While at UT-Austin, Duke taught both introductory and advanced courses highlighting his expertise in energy conservation, solar energy and earth shelter architecture. His signature courses included “Gentle Architecture,” Environmental Controls, Visual Communication, Energy Conscious Design, and all levels of the Design Studio. Duke encouraged his students to participate in design competitions every year, including the Solar-90 Conference for the Texas Solar Energy Society, where his students took three top prizes.

Buford Duke worked on many public service-oriented projects with his colleagues and students: a master plan for the city of Kemah, Texas; low cost housing for “The Colonias” in Laredo, Texas; and the New Hope Children’s Home in Kenya. In one of his final class syllabi, he described himself as having “38 years experience in Architecture with 26 years of experience with very large Energy Efficient Buildings and complexes.”

From the guide to the Buford Duke, Jr. collection DUKE Accession Number: 2005008., 1971-2000, undated, (Alexander Architectural Archive, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.)