OBO: Rethinking the role of the Public Architect

Join us for Best Practice, a virtual fireside chat series dedicated to practice operations at architecture firms and beyond. From pain points to potential, hear how leaders in the architecture and engineering industry are innovating through new business models and managerial techniques.

We’re chatting with Curtis Clay of Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations about rethinking the role of the public architect.

Curtis Clay is the Director of Architecture at the Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. Mr. Clay is responsible for overseeing a wide range of architectural project design functions that support the design, construction, and renovation of diplomatic posts overseas. Mr. Clay is a licensed architect in Virginia and the District of Columbia and supervises all phases of architectural design and construction. He has over 20 years of experience in the design and construction industry including government, commercial, institutional, and private work.

OBO is the single real property manager for all U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world, managing a portfolio of properties in over 290 locations around the world, valued at over $71 billion. OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and resilient facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support its staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives.

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