Kaz and I were in studio together at ASU. Kaz was amazingly talented and kind. Kaz had immense talent and was a fierce competitor.  I remember his great smile and attitude for life; I was scanning my memory for people I had immense respect for and Kaz was at. Top of list. So sorry to hear of Kaz early departure. I know he made this world a better place and left a positive mark in our hearts and the planet. God Bless I will look you you up in after life Kaz!

I worked with Kaz over 25 years ago in Boston. We had been working as 2 designers, fairly fresh out of school. We had been paired together to work on a competition for a Polymer Research Lab. The principals had full confidence in our rationale and allowed us to execute the Baba scheme. His brilliance and dedication to his craft was a chief reason we had won the competition. He was soon moved on to other projects. He became dismayed that he could not see the projects through to completion because the principals of the firm preferred to place him as a valued designer to start up projects. Kaz confronted the principals in a gentle and thoughtful manner and asked that he be placed on a project that would allow him to manage the design through completion and when he was told that he was best placed to help define the multiple projects, Kaz stayed dedicated to his core belief and would not compromise himself and soon moved back out west to establish himself as the dedicated, thoughtful and brilliant architect he would become.
I think of you at times Kaz and will always remember example of holding on to your core beliefs to guide you to creative solutions.

Kaz had recently reached out to us again at the Academy of Art Architecture department. We were hoping he would come teach again. He had taught with us in years past and was always admired by students and staff alike for his keen design eye and graceful critiques. We are saddened to hear of his passing and wanted his friends and family to know that his students and teaching colleagues will forever remember him as a talented and kind teacher with much to offer.

Kaz and I worked together at Gensler for a couple of years and took many business trips to Las Vegas together for projects we were doing there. Although we did not always see eye to eye, I always counted him amongst friends and had a deep appreciation of the width and breadth of his experience in architecture and his passionate quest for excellence in design. Kaz taught me very many things through discussion and debate, and I will always be grateful for having shared this time with him.
His passing has left me in shock and disbelief, and has given me a greater appreciation for life, which is quite short... much shorter in his case.Rest in peace, Kaz. I will miss you.

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Kaz Baba.To give you an idea of the generous spirit of Mr. Baba...
Without ever having met me, Kaz recommended our firm to a potential client to build out their office. The company was looking for boutique design firms. Kaz only knew of me and my firm because he worked at Gensler shortly after I left. Most people in his position would do their best to convince these potential clients that they did not need boutique design, but rather that their firm (Kaz went on to NBBJ) could provide boutique service.It meant the world to me that he was willing to support our firm in such a way.We did not get that job.I finally did meet Kaz at an IIDA NC awards ceremony. I was searching for him, and I could tell when he spotted me that he had been looking for me. I thanked him profusely. He acted as though he had done nothing. He treated me as though *I* was the special one, and suggested we try and go after larger projects together.Kaz went on to recommend us to at least two other clients. We did not get either job.Though I did thank Kaz on each and every occasion, I did not reach out enough to him for his efforts. I had no idea he was battling cancer.There are many people out there making a difference in our lives, anonymously.Kaz should not be one of the anonymous ones.My sincere condolences to the Baba family. Having made an impact on my life (someone he barely knew), I can only imagine his impact on yours and the loss you now feel.

Thank you being the best mentor anyone could ask for. You will be missed very much.

OBITUARY

Kazuhiro Timothy Baba

27 July, 1962 – 11 October, 2014

Green Street Mortuary

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