Résumé

Trumpeter, Lawrence Welk Champagne Music Makers television orchestra, Los Angeles, CA, c. 1965.

Draftsman, Donald Hugh Gibbs, Architect, Long Beach, CA, c. 1966.

Draftsman, Killingsworth, Brady and Associates, Long Beach, CA, c. 1967,

Architect, Frank O. Gehry and Associates, Santa Monica, CA.

Architect, Charles Kober Associates, Los Angeles, CA, c. 1980.

Partner, Altoon and Porter, Architects, Los Angeles, CA, 1984-2012. In the 1990s and 2000s, Altoon + Porter developed a busy practice in Asia, founding offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai, China. The Los Angeles Times noted at the time of his death: "In the mid 1990s, Jim ventured into the Asian frontier and took the chance on a new focus for architects. His drive was greater than the fear of failure. In the early 2000s he took responsibility for managing the firm's burgeoning Asian practice. Two of his most cherished trips to China were shared with his grandson Alexander as they, together, acquired knowledge and nuances of other cultures." (See Los Angeles Times.com, "James Frank Porter FAIA," published 08/05/2014, accessed 11/02/2022.) As noted at his death, Altoon + Porter developed an international project list: "Under Porter’s project management leadership, the firm completed work on the historic Engine Co. No. 28 and Grand Avenue Urban Design Plan, Los Angeles; Queen Ka’ahumanu Center and Waikiki BeachWalk, Hawaii; Al Mamlaka at Kingdom Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; First City Department Store, Taichung, Taiwan; Marina City, Qingdao, PRC; Central World, Bangkok; and Sengkang and Buangkok subway stations in Singapore." (See USC News.edu, "In memoriam: James Porter, '72," published 08/01/2014, accessed 05/30/2023.)

Porter retired from practice in 2012. His obituary indicated that after his retirement from Altoon + Porter, he "ultimately re-engaged with the Gehry office." (See Los Angeles Times.com, "James Frank Porter FAIA," published 08/05/2014, accessed 11/02/2022.) His obituary in the USC News indicated: "At the time of his death, Porter was working at Gehry Technologies, an architectural consulting firm." (See USC News.edu, "In memoriam: James Porter, '72," published 08/01/2014, accessed 05/30/2023.)

Professional Activities

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Los Angeles Chapter, Los Angeles, CA.

Member, Urban Land Institute (ULI), Los Angeles Chapter, Los Angeles, CA.

Member, ULI, Los Angeles District Council Advisory Board, Los Angeles, CA.

Member, University of Southern California (USC), Architectural Guild, Los Angeles, CA, -2014.

Lecturer, AIA California Council (AIACC), global design practice.

Lecturer, Urban Land Institute (ULI), global design practice.

Lecturer, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), global design practice, New York, NY.

Professional Awards

Fellow, American Institute of Architects (FAIA). Porter was an expert in the process of architectural collaboration, a key factor in his being awarded Fellowship in the AIA. "With his keen interest in effective and efficient practice and project management, Porter created a “Collaboration Matrix” which carefully crafted responsibilities between architectural firms working collaboratively on the same project. Altoon + Porter collaborated with architect colleagues more than 70 times on projects in more than 40 countries. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) adopted a version of this contract format based upon Porter’s pioneering collaboration concept." (See USC News.edu, "In memoriam: James Porter, '72," published 08/01/2014, accessed 05/30/2023.)

College

B.Arch., University of Southern California (USC), School of Architecture, Los Angeles, CA, 1966. The USC News noted of his time in the architecture school: "At USC, he studied under Pierre Koenig of Case Study Houses fame, and Alfred Caldwell, the last of the Prairie School landscapists." (See USC News.edu, "In memoriam: James Porter, '72," published 08/01/2014, accessed 05/30/2023.)

Altoon + Porter funded a student internship at USC, allowing its architecture students to work at it part-time during their final years.

Relocation

James Frank Porter was born in Glendale, CA.

He passed away at his residence in Los Angeles, CA, at the age of 72. (See USC News.edu, "In memoriam: James Porter, '72," published 08/01/2014, accessed 05/30/2023.)

Spouse

He wed Faith Zink, an artist, who also attended USC.They wed at the USC Methodist Church in 1966.

Children

Faith and James had two sons: Damon Gregory Porter and Arran Cameron Porter.

Biographical Notes

James Porter was present at the West Chamber of Commerce Beautification Awards in Los Angeles, CA, c. 04/18/1987.

Member, USC, School of Fine Arts, Board of Councilors, Los Angeles, CA, c. 1984-2014. Both the architect and Faith Zink Porter endowed fine arts scholarships at USC.

Founding member, Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.

Member, Los Angeles Headquarters City Association, Executive Board, Los Angeles, CA.

Member, Los Angeles Music Center Fraternity of Friends, Los Angeles, CA.

Porter came from a musical family. His obituary noted: "In the 1950's his parents May and Ben Porter created and guided the Burbank Police Boys Band. He and his brother, Ken Porter, and the other young musicians benefited by learning to set goals along with having fun marching in the Rose Parade on New Years Day. In High School he worked with his father making trumpets. The 3 sterling horns that he made for himself he used to earn tuition for USC to become an architect. He was fortunate to play first trumpet for bands including Jerry Gray, The Righteous Brothers, Lawrence Welk, and Johnny Mathis." (See Los Angeles Times.com, "James Frank Porter FAIA," published 08/05/2014, accessed 05/30/2023.)