Remembering Petr Stand
Petr Stand
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of former MAP partner Petr Stand.
Petr joined founding principal Magnus Magnusson in 1992 and together with South Bronx residents and the newly formed nonprofit Nos Quedamos, they produced the Melrose Commons Master Plan, a standout example of community-based planning from a time when revitalization was critical, but approaches were often top-down. Petr’s commitment to hearing and then acting on local input not only ensured the future success of the plan but also helped lay the groundwork for the inclusive design our firm still practices today. To Petr, it was self-evident and altogether appropriate that everyone, regardless of income, would want, and deserve a home that was beautiful.
To that end, his design work included distinctive placemaking elements which rendered the buildings unique and special to those who called them home. And at the same time, he sought to retain a contextual sensibility which connected those buildings and their residents to their surroundings. Balancing a new development and the contours of an existing community was always a challenge Petr was ready to undertake, knowing anything was possible if neighborhood stakeholders could see their vision take shape in the transformation.
In a 2003 firm profile from Real Estate Weekly, Petr said, “I’m convinced that being an architect is good work...We contribute to the growth and change of a living city.” Clearly an understatement, the goodness of Petr’s architectural work and his contributions to this living city have been significant and long-lasting. Of course, the same is true of his impact at MAP.
A guiding hand and mentor for so many at the firm, Petr was generous with his time and expertise, supporting the growth and development of younger architects looking to do important work in the world. His warmth and kindness will be missed but his impact on those who knew him endures.
We will always remember fondly and with great admiration his tremendous influence on our firm, and the communities we’ve served.
Left: (left to right) Petr Stand, Yolanda Garcia of Nos Quedamos Magnus Magnusson
Right: Petr Stand and Magnus Magnusson (seated)
“Working together for over 20 years, Petr was always a role model for his dedication to sustainable community development, affordable housing and to his hometown, the Bronx. He contributed so much to the success of our firm from the people whose architectural careers he shaped to the people whose lives he improved though good design. ”
“I had the privilege of working with Petr and learning from him at MAP. He was always kind and generous with his time. I will always be grateful for the confidence he placed in me and his support as I advanced in my career. He was a wonderful example of the way we should all act as principals, defining our purpose together and helping the next generation of leaders find their way. ”