Steve Wiser is a lifelong Louisville resident.  He attended St. Xavier High School and received his architectural training at the University of Cincinnati.

Steve has been involved in community improvement efforts in Louisville since the late 1970’s.  He was active during the 1980’s with the civic group “Third Century”, which continually sought ways to make Louisville a better place in which to live.  With this group, Steve co-founded the Street Banner Program, which has since spread throughout the region.  He coordinated numerous forums and events.  Steve also contributed assistance to the initial Mayor’s Urban Workshop programs, which are now known as Greater Louisville Inc. Development Expedition (GLIDE).

Steve is very active with the American Institute of Architects. He served as president of the local chapter and has been chair of many committees over the past 25 years. He served on two AIA Regional Design Assistance Team studies of Louisville.  Steve was a member of the original “Young Architect” class (1989) of the AIA and has received the distinguished “Oberwarth Award”, Kentucky’s highest AIA achievement honor.

Since the early 1980’s, Steve has been a leader in the Louisville Historical League.  Serving as its president for three terms, he has helped save many properties from demolition, including Old Male High School; old St. Paul’s Church; Olmsted’s Shelby Park; the American Standard Manufacturing Building, Colonial Gardens, and the Ouerbacker House.  He has also assisted in restoring the “Louisville Clock”.

Steve’s achievements include:

· Helped author the waterfront design guidelines and has served on its design review committee for over twenty years

· Written dozens of articles on urban design for  Business First newspaper along with commentaries for the Courier-Journal, Louisville Magazine, and other local publications.

· Nationally known healthcare architect, he has authored a book on hospital design, been featured as a speaker at numerous national conferences, and written dozens of articles on healthcare design topics.

· Authored books titled:  “Louisville Tapestry: People & Places who helped create America’s Most Livable City”; “Louisville 2035”; “Louisville Sites to See by Design” (including the Second Edition); “The Community of St. Frances of Rome: An Illustrated History”. And produced a DVD entitled “Louisville Landmarks & Legends”.  He has also written four other non-civic books.

· Written hundreds of articles on Louisville history, including “Deja View” and “History of Louisville Architecture”.

· Tour guide at Cave Hill Cemetery

· Has given presentations before Louisville Forum, Filson  Historical Society; Beargrass St. Matthews Historical Society, Bellarmine University, University of Louisville, National Trust for Historic Preservation, local Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, among many others.

· He served as a local chair for the AIA 150 committee, which  produced the Portland neighborhood charrette, 2008 Calendar of Louisville Architecture, Michael Graves lecture, and several design presentations.

· Steve is married to Kathy for almost 30 years, and they have two daughters: Jennifer who is an architectural intern in San Francisco; and, Erin, who is a textile designer in New York City.

Steve Wiser is an Associate and Director of Healthcare Design for JRA Architects.  Steve can be reach by email at WiserAIA@Hotmail.com  or via his website at www.WiserDesigns.com