Tapley, Charles

Charles Tapley, FAIA, was a Registered Architect, Registered Landscape Architect, and Adjunct Professor in Architecture at the University of Houston. He earned both his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts at Rice University in 1955 and founded Tapley & Associates in 1960. Tapley designed many landmark buildings in the Houston area and throughout the United States. He was one of the visionary driving forces for the development of Buffalo Bayou in Houston. His master plan for the 6.3 mile long Buffalo Bayou Park would have exceeded the Riverwalk in San Antonio and created one of the nation’s largest urban parks. The size of the park placed it within walking distance of at least 225,000 Houston workers and 50,000 downtown residents. Tapley also designed flood control into the concept by diverting the one river into two around a man-made island. He also published numerous articles and won many awards related to architecture, design and re-design of existing structures, and landscape design.