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KELLS, STEVE Steven Edward Kells born 6/29/1950 and raised in Ravenswood, West Virginia, died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack 9/9/2012 while hiking in the Manzano Mountains. Steve graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati in 1974, with an emphasis on architectural history. Smitten by the majestic landscape and rich culture of New Mexico, he moved to Albuquerque in 1976. He became a registered architect in the state in 1978 and had been a member of the American Institute of Architects throughout his professional career. With his partner, Jonathan Craig, Steve founded the firm of Kells + Craig Architects in 1984. Steve had a keen intellect and a breadth of knowledge on an impressive range of topics, particularly those that relate to the architecture, history, culture and landscape of New Mexico and the Southwest, and he was always enthusiastic to share this knowledge with his friends and colleagues. His organizational skills and appreciation of detail, combined with his creativity and ability to distill the essence of a design, allowed him to practice as an architect with equal skill in both the preservation of historic buildings and the design of contemporary architecture. Steve believed strongly that architecture is a living, practical art that should be reflective of its time and, while it should learn from, and be respectful of its historic context, it should not be "enslaved" by it. Steve's legacy is embodied in the work of Kells + Craig Architects and the awards that the firm has received over the years, including a National Preservation Award in 2001 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for the interior restoration and renovations to Albuquerque's iconic KiMo Theatre. In Taos, he will be remembered for the renovation and expansion of the Harwood Museum, including the design of the Agnes Martin Gallery addition. Contemporary architectural projects that bear Steve's signature include the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, the Don Newton (Taylor Ranch) Community Center, both in Albuquerque, and the Center for New Mexico Archaeology, in Santa Fe. Steve had a passion for preserving New Mexico's historic architectural and cultural resources and his service to historic preservation included eight years as a member of the Cultural Properties Review Committee and as a board member of the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance. He also had a life-long interest in railroading and railroad history. He was a longtime active member of the Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, volunteering his expertise as an architect along with plenty of enthusiastic hard labor. Combining his interests in New Mexico history and railroads, at the time of his death Steve had partially completed a multi-year project to build a model railroad in his home, with several meticulously crafted scale models of historic structures that were to be set in a New Mexico landscape. Steve had been an avid bicyclist, completing the American Lung Association's TransAmerica Bicycle Trek from Washington State to Atlantic City, NJ, in the late 1980s. He loved hiking with the NM Mountain Club and was preparing for a long-awaited, rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon in October. His family and friends extend special thanks to the NM Mountain Club, his hiking partners, especially to Michael, Elizabeth, David, Joe and Terry, for their valiant efforts to assist Steve at the time of his death in the Manzano Mountains, and to his friends and neighbors in his community of La Luz del Sol. He is predeceased by his father, Edward Kells, and survived by his mother, Vieva Kells, of Albuquerque. Cremation has taken place and, in accordance with Steve's wishes, there will be no service. He is greatly missed by his beloved mother, Vieva, his architectural partner, Jonathan Craig, and his many friends and colleagues. A celebration of his life and work is being planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to: Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc. 4421 McLeod NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 The Nature Conservancy 4245 North Fairfax Drive Suite 100, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
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