Philip Bruce Purifoy Jr.

Philip Purifoy says he became an architect to have an impact on the built environment and on people’s lives.

Although he’s only 40 years old, he has accomplished that – and a lot more.

During the last two state conventions of the Arkansas chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Purifoy has won two honor awards and a merit award for design excellence.

“To develop a building from a simple idea sketch to a finished product is the ultimate rush,” Purifoy said.

He has served on the AIA board for 10 years and was its president in 2001. Last year he received the Dick Savage award for his legislative efforts and remains involved in legislative issues. The father of two sons, he’s also actively involved in the public school system as well as Audubon Society and historic preservation.

He credits his parents with instilling in him good values such as hard work.

Purifoy said he leads by example and empowers his employees to be “stars” for the firm’s clients. He says he has surrounded himself with very capable people.

The secret of his success is to strive to exceed a client’s expectations and to take a “value-added” approach to each project regardless of scope or size. “Good design doesn’t have to be expensive,” Purifoy said. “It involves getting a good understanding of a client’s wants and needs and exceeding their expectations.”

The 1987 University of Arkansas graduate said he works to keep from becoming stale. “There’s no one way to do things,” he said.

He wants his firm to continue to push the envelope of architectural design while “raising the bar” for the profession in the state.

Purifoy oversees the financial end of the firm, and Fennell Purifoy Hammock Architects’ revenue has increased an average of 12 percent a year for the past three years.