Building a Lasting Legacy

For more than three decades, John H. Pilling, MDS’17, has returned to Boston Architectural College (BAC) year after year for one reason:

“What keeps me coming back are the students. What really persists throughout it all are my interactions with them,” he said.

Now, as he looks to the future, John has made a significant six-figure planned gift to the BAC, designating a percentage of his estate to support the generations who will follow. His gift reflects both gratitude and conviction, and represents a meaningful investment in the College’s long-term efforts to expand access and affordability—ensuring that future students can fully participate in the kind of education and experience that has defined his own decades of engagement.

Over time, that connection has taken many forms—as faculty member, alumnus, mentor, former board member, and campaign supporter—but he sees them as part of the same continuum. Again and again, it is the exchange with students—their questions, their work, and their ambitions—that has shaped his relationship with the BAC.

In choosing to give in this way, John is helping to carry forward what defines the BAC: an education grounded in practice, shaped by real-world engagement, and sustained by a community that invests in its students. Gifts like John’s are transformative for the College, strengthening its endowment and helping to ensure that the BAC can continue to provide an accessible, practice-based education for generations to come.

For John, teaching is grounded in respect for materials, craft, and the people who bring buildings to life. “Architecture is a human process based on respect,” he says.

His teaching is shaped by a long career in practice, where he worked as a project architect and principal on projects ranging from affordable housing to major public infrastructure—experience that continues to inform his focus on design in service of communities. Influenced as well by family ties to the construction industry, he is committed to preparing architects who understand the realities of building.

For him, the goal is simple: to help students enter the profession with both the skills and support they need.

He wants students to step onto a job site with confidence and credibility—earning respect through knowledge, preparation, and engagement.

“Architecture is learned through doing,” John says. That principle has shaped his teaching across courses such as Architectural Detailing, Summer Academy, and international travel studios, where students engage directly with materials, process, and place.

BAC students, he believes, bring a particular strength: they are grounded in practice, representative of the communities they serve, and able to translate ideas into buildable solutions. As he often notes, the architects who make the greatest impact are defined not only by academic achievement, but also by a seriousness of purpose, respect for craft, and the curiosity to develop a distinctive voice over time.

John is especially attentive to the financial pressures that can shape a student’s ability to fully engage in their education and professional development. For him, supporting students means ensuring they are able to participate fully and move forward with confidence.

That same perspective informs his decision to give.

John’s estate commitment is focused on expanding opportunities for students who are ready to engage with the profession, but who may face financial barriers along the way.

This commitment builds on his family’s endowed fund, established in his sister Ruth H. Pilling’s memory, which has long supported students in accessing opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Through conferences, travel-based learning, and other forms of professional engagement, the fund helps students broaden their perspective, build networks, and progress toward licensure and strong careers. His estate commitment is designed to grow and extend that impact for future generations.

By making a planned gift, John is able to make a meaningful difference while continuing to steward his resources during his lifetime, ensuring his support will benefit students for years to come.

As the BAC continues to deepen its mission to expand opportunity and long-term sustainability, gifts like John’s play a critical role. They help ensure the College can continue to offer an affordable education that is rigorous, experiential, and grounded in practice—while supporting students in building strong, lasting careers.

“John’s time, dedication, and generosity reflect the very best of the BAC community—deep engagement, sustained contribution, and a belief in the power of design education to change lives,” said [BAC leader].

For John, the motivation is simple. “I believe in what the BAC does,” he says, “and in the students who will carry that work forward.”

Those interested in supporting students—building on models like John and his family’s endowed fund—may choose to establish a fund through a future gift, such as a bequest or gifts of appreciated assets, or a combination of both. Endowed funds expand opportunity for students while strengthening the College for generations to come. We invite you to connect with the Advancement team to learn more about options that align with your values, goals, and the legacy you wish to create.