History of
The Center

The Center was originally conceived by Pliny Fisk III and Daria Bolton Fisk through the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture as the Laboratory for Maximum Potential Building Systems, one of the first design-build studios in the country.

In 1975, an independent parallel effort, The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, was granted 501(c)3 status (known colloquially as “Max’s Pot”). Houston art collector and philanthropist Dominique de Menil was an early benefactor to the fledgling non-profit, which has since received generous support from many private foundations including the Meadows Foundation, Kendeda Fund, Merck Family Fund, and Still Water Foundation.

Led by current Co-Directors Pliny Fisk III and Gail Vittori, The Center has championed decades of groundbreaking projects, manifested through the organization’s cultivation of protocols, policies, and prototypes.

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For 50 years, The Center has overseen and collaborated on award-winning public and private sector projects in Austin, the U.S., and internationally. The Center continues to inspire ecologically balanced environments, steward natural resources, and elevate community resilience and economic vitality.

Awards + Recognitions

Earth Summit Award (with City of Austin)

ICLEI

1992

Recognizing Participation in Greening of the White House

President Bill Clinton

1994

Passive Solar Pioneer Award

American Solar Energy Society

2000

Presidential Federal Sustainability Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management

President George W. Bush

2002

14 Design Visionaries

Metropolis Magazine

Jan 2006

35 People Who Will Shape Our Future

Texas Monthly

2008

Lewis Mumford Award

Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility

2012

"Best Overall” for Innovation Excellence

City of Austin Green Business Leaders Program

2013

Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainability

The Hanley Foundation

2015

Social Design Circle Honoree

Curry Stone Foundation

2017

Kate Hurst Leadership Award

USGBC

2020

50 Years of Commotion

Scroll through 50 years of The Center’s firsts, milestones, accomplishments and recognitions