On January 5, the 2018 Clinton Sheerr Award for Excellence in New Hampshire Architecture was awarded to Randall T. Mudge by the American Institute of Architects New Hampshire. The award honors and promotes New Hampshire architects and their commitment to their communities and to design that exemplifies excellence at the highest level. The award is named after Clinton Sheerr AIA, a well-known New Hampshire architect who died in 1997.

A New Hampshire native, Randall T. Mudge earned degrees from UNH (BA in Fine Arts – Painting and Graphics), Montana State University (B.Arch.), and Yale University (M.Arch.). During his early career, Randall worked in New York, assisting with the design for the renovation and expansion of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Since 1981, his Lyme practice has managed a variety of large and small residential and commercial projects.

Many of Randall’s buildings in the Upper Valley have won AIA New Hampshire Design Awards, including Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Child Care Center, Dartmouth College’s Corey Ford Rugby Clubhouse, Zins at the Hanover Inn, the PowerHouse Mall, and a private residence. He’s also won PLAN NH Awards for the Circle Camp on Spectacle Pond and Ledyard National Bank, and an NH Preservation Alliance Award for rehabilitation work on the New Hampshire State Library. Among the many other buildings to his credit are David’s House, the addition to the Hanover Fire Station, the renovation of the Hanover Town Hall, the Lebanon District Court, and additions to the Hood Museum and Spaulding Auditorium.

Randall answered a few questions about his career and plans for the future:

Q: What drew you to architecture as a career?     

A: I am not sure why, but I made architecture my educational goal during high school. I chose to approach it from the fine art plus liberal arts perspective and then focused on the professional degrees. I always enjoyed working in building and road construction from age 18 through 30. The idea of carefully integrating a manmade object on the landscape without compromising either is a lifetime challenge.

Q: How has the field changed since you started? 

A: The computer has made many aspects of architectural production, presentation, and record-keeping much more efficient. Becoming a registered architect continues to be more streamlined. What used to take eight to twelve years to achieve can now be done in six. I still enjoy drawing by hand to communicate and detail ideas related to architectural opportunities. Hand drawing and drafting may become a lost art.

Q:  Do you have a favorite project or two? 

A: The PowerHouse Arcade and shopping center was a fantastic project since we had a team consisting of client, architect, contractor, and skilled workers who let enthusiasm trump experience and got the job done. The outcome speaks for itself.

Q: What would you like people to know about what you do?  

A: Architecture is a team sport. We get to work with and enjoy a very diverse group of individuals during the design and construction of every project.

Q: Any future plans? 

A: I plan to continue to contribute to the work in the office and take a trip now and then with my wife, Bridget, to see what’s going on beyond this beautiful area we live in.

If you're looking to start a project head on over to Randall T Mudge & Associates to check out his work.