Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 11, 1990 TAG: 9003143274
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MARIANNA FILLMORE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
He is "a real inspiration to work with," said Philip Pappas, a 13-year partner in the firm. "His dedication and enthusiasm spur others on when they might otherwise complain."
The Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects recently honored this dedication with its distinguished service award, recognizing Mills' outstanding design work and his 28 years of contributions to architecture.
In addition to building a successful company, Mills has been active in the professional organization. He has held all offices in the Blue Ridge chapter and several on the state level. He considers the award "a very great honor" because of the high recognition by his peers.
The most impressive thing about Mills is that he has accomplished so much despite a career-long battle with severe rheumatoid arthritis.
This progressively debilitating disease began as he was finishing his architecture degree at Virginia Tech in 1961. His hands are severely crippled with the affliction that has invaded his whole body. Yet he prefers to focus on his capabilities, not on his limitations.
"You can do almost anything your mind lets you do," he said. "I miss the drawing, but at this stage of the game, I'm doing more architectural administration than actual drafting."
Still, as Dan Rhudy, a partner of Mills for 13 years, points out, "With Bob's experience and talent, he should be right in his prime as far as designing, which is the fun part of architecture, but his health has really limited him. It's really very discouraging for him and for the firm as well."
Despite his handicap, Mills maintains a rigorous work schedule. He is in the office by 8 each morning and often stays past 5 p.m.
It was, in fact, during a 5:30 interview at his office that Mills, 55,eased back in his chair and mused on his lifelong love of architecture.
Originally from Richmond, Mills' interest in architecture was stirred in high school, where his drafting teacher was an architect.
His career goals were hazy, however, when he enrolled at the University of Richmond. After about 1 1/2 years he realized that architecture was his true calling and Virginia Tech was the place to earn his degree.
Mills went to work for a research and development company in Richmond to earn money to pursue his goal. He also worked part time as a draftsman for a Richmond architect, who further inspired him.
Mills met his future wife, Billie, at the research firm and they were married in the summer of 1956. They thought if she could find a job in Blacksburg, he could enter Tech that fall. She found work as a stenographer on campus and he started on his degree.
After graduating 29 years ago, Mills went to work for a small firm owned by three Tech professors. He became a registered architect in the spring of 1965. That summer he took over the firm.
"About that time they wanted to get out of the business," he said, "and I wanted to stay in Blacksburg and to go into business on my own. I changed the name to Robert L. Mills, Architect."
Since then, the business has grown from a one-man proprietorship to a five-partner, 22-employee firm offering architectural, engineering and planning services. The company has done work in many Mid-Atlantic states and at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Mills sees himself and the company as one. When asked about his work, he most often answers in terms of the firm.
"We don't specialize in one type of project," Mills said. "We think each project is a separate challenge. We try to arrive at the best design at the most economical price, and a building of which both the client and the architect will be proud when it is completed.
Over the years Mills has been in charge of hundreds of projects. Churches, schools, apartments, nursing homes and private homes all have benefited from his special touch.
Mills does not feel that he has a signature style, so to speak. His designs cover a broad spectrum and are very much in tune with the desires of his clients.
He does favor open, contemporary, energy-conscious designs, "using materials of the past to meet the needs of people today." He always tries to remain conscious of the surroundings and to design buildings that fit their sites.
Some of his New River Valley projects include the Blacksburg Municipal Building, the Roanoke Times & World-News bureau and Oakland Square at Warm Hearth Village.
Among Mills' earliest work was the Holy Family Catholic Church in Pearisburg, which won a design award from the Blue Ridge chapter of the AIA. The church, which Mills designed soon after starting his practice, was one of the first to bring the altar out from the back wall to the center of the sanctuary.
The building is hexagonal, so the congregation surrounds the altar and the farthest seat is only seven rows back. An enormous skylight over the altar highlights the center of worship.
Mills describes with special pride one of his latest designs - the New River Regional Center for Economic Development at New River Community College in Dublin. The General Assembly is expected to approve $3.5 million in funding for the project so construction could start in the spring of 1992.
Mills refers to the building as "a unique structure - the first of its kind in the state" - which he hopes will entice industry to the area and serve the college at the same time.
The center will be a two-story, multiuse atrium surrounded by conference rooms, classrooms and two suites of offices. It can serve as a spacious banquet hall, auditorium or exhibit hall, with doors large enough to accommodate displays of large industrial equipment.
Although Mills enjoys all types of projects, single-family homes give him special pleasure.
"There is a great fascination in designing a home," Mills said. "You're dealing with usually a husband, wife, and children and their needs and requirements. There is a lot of thought and time that goes into the design of a home."
The home of George and Edna Henning in Roanoke is one of his favorites. It is a multilevel contemporary with a sweeping, circular staircase around a huge, stone fireplace.
Henning, an orthopedic surgeon, operated on Mills' hip in the late 1970s. He had seen an example of Mills' residential design work in Pulaski County and asked him to design a new home for him and his wife, Edna.
As Mills recuperated in the hospital, he and Edna Henning spent hours drafting plans for the house.
The home of William and Beverly Bishop in Radford won a design award from the Blue Ridge chapter of the AIA. It is a 5,000-square-foot, solar contemporary with vaulted, wood-beamed ceilings.
"He was real cooperative to put a lot of us into the house," said Beverly Bishop. "The house was set up to function for us and our hobbies and it does so very well."
Of course, Mills also designed his own home - a 4,000-square-foot contemporary on five levels near Blacksburg High School. His wife, who earned her degree in interior design at Radford University in 1975, decorated it.
Mills maintains ties with Virginia Tech and has given guest lectures to first-year students in the College of Architecture.
"It's good for students to dream and to let their imaginations flow," he said.
Mills has always been active in civic organizations and community service, including the Blacksburg Baptist Church, the Jaycees and the United Way, to name a few.
He was instrumental in developing Giles Park. According to some of his partners, "he's very dedicated to any kind of endeavor he gets involved with and doesn't like to turn anyone down."
Mills sees the day coming when consulting work and winters at Hilton Head, a favorite vacation resort, might be desirable alternatives to his current work schedule. But he and his wife plan to remain in the Blacksburg home where they raised their three children.
Mills credits his wife for his success throughout their long and happy marriage - from her support when he was a student to her love, understanding, and help with his gradually deteriorating condition.
"If it weren't for her," he said, "I wouldn't be here today."
by CNB