Peter Michael Trapolin

Peter, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), was the founding principal of Trapolin-Peer Architects and a deeply respected figure in the New Orleans architecture community. A lifelong New Orleanian and Tulane graduate, Peter’s work reshaped the city’s built landscape over four decades through his commitment to historic preservation, community impact, and mentorship. 

He founded his firm in 1981 with a belief that architecture could be a tool for healing and connection. Through his firm’s projects like the Sazerac House, The Julia Apartments, 800 Magazine Street, Julia Row, and the renovation to Tulane’s Richardson Memorial Hall, Peter preserved the character of the city’s historic fabric while guiding it toward a more modern and vibrant future.

Peter has served on numerous boards, appeared in dozens of publications,

and won many awards for his historic preservation work. He gave generously of his time and talent—as a mentor, collaborator, teacher, and friend—and was widely known for his humility, rigor, and quiet brilliance.

Delighted in the simple pleasures the Gulf Coast region has to offer, Peter escaped to the waters and landscapes of Henderson Point, Mississippi. A place he treasured deeply. An avid fisherman, Peter cherished every opportunity to cast a line, whether quietly alone or in the lively company of his family, friends, and the sweet neighbor boys.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents Mary Jane and Ivor Trapolin. He was the loving brother of Louise and Clint Kuzmich, Jeanne and Fritz Kuehn, Therese Trapolin, Miles Trapolin and Lillian LeGardeur, Kathleen Trapolin Barbee and James Barbee, Charles Trapolin and Stanley Morris, Edward and Dierdre Broussard Trapolin, and Neil Trapolin. Survived by his love Leah Smith Tubbs and Leah’s children Trapp and Mallory Tubbs, Breaux Tubbs and Mathilde Tubbs. Peter played an extraordinary role in the lives of his 11 nieces and nephews and 9 great-nieces and great-nephews. He relished opportunities to spend time with family waterskiing, tubing, wakesurfing, crabbing, sailing, fishing and hunting. As a Godfather, Peter was a constant source of love, wisdom and support, cherishing the special bonds forged in that sacred role.

Peter’s family and friends will gather on Friday, September 5, 2025, to celebrate his life at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, where memories will be shared and his remarkable legacy honored. Visitation will be held from 12:30 until 2 pm. A funeral service will follow in the chapel at 2 pm. Interment will be in Metairie Cemetery.

Some of Peter’s most treasured friends will serve as pallbearers: Tony Gelderman, Philip Clinton, Alan Karchmer, Bill Legier, Gordon Kolb, Gary Laborde, and Miles Trapolin. Honorary pallbearer Johnny Jordan greeted Peter in Heaven.

Though he has left us too soon, Peter’s spirit will live on in the streets of New Orleans, the shores of Henderson Point, in the hands of those he mentored, and in the hearts of his beloved family and friends.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to causes close to Peter’s heart.

Louisiana Landmarks Society:

https://www.louisianalandmarks.org/donate

1440 Moss St

New Orleans, LA 70119

United States

Preservation Resource Center (PRC):

https://prcno.org/get-involved/donate/

923 Tchoupitoulas St

New Orleans, LA 7013

Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC):

https://hnoc.org/support

520 Royal St

New Orleans, LA 70130

Tulane School of Architecture /Small Center:

https://securetu.tulane.edu/s/1586/Giving/16/interior.aspx?sid=1586&gid=2&pgid=7420&cid=15186&appealcode=EGIW4

Tulane University

Tulane School of Architecture /Small Center

PO Box 669394

Dallas, TX 75266