Frances has always loved to draw. From an early age she drew everything she saw and everything she imagined. In college, her fascination with the history of cities and her love of drawing spelled out “Architecture” as the place to be. A founding partner of Kliment Halsband Architects before it merged with Perkins Eastman, her interests focus on urban work and college campuses. Frances has worked on more than 50 college campuses across the country as an award-winning designer, in a design advisory role, as a faculty member, and as dean of the architecture school at Pratt Institute.

Frances is a consensus builder. Her varied roles have provided a unique perspective on the many voices that shape planning and design today. She is dedicated to bringing these voices together in shaping our environment.

Her role as lead designer for university projects and campus plans has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the national AIA Firm Award and the Medal of Honor from NYC AIA. Her research papers on campus design have been published in The Chronicle of Higher Education and Places Journal.

In 2023, Frances became the 61st Chancellor of the AIA’s College of Fellows. Before that, she was the first woman to be elected president of the NYC AIA. She was president of the Architectural League of New York, and a Commissioner of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. In 2018, Frances initiated the successful movement to amend the American Institute of Architects’ Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct to state that “members shall not engage in harassment or discrimination in their professional activities on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, or sexual orientation.”

Our Perkins Eastman

Perkins Eastman brings together a remarkable group of diverse talents, origins, and generations. Sharing knowledge and common goals through mentorship and teamwork is an everyday delight.