University of Utah officials announced Tuesday that Prescott Muir, a locally-based practicing architect, will head up the school of architecture as its new director.

Muir, who has worked as an adjunct professor at the U. since 1993, has been influential in designing various projects in Salt Lake, including the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center and the Bridge Project for Artspace. In Ogden, he worked on the Ethel Wattis Kimball Visual Arts Center and the Pleasant Valley Library. In addition to his local work, Muir has been involved in multiple projects in southern California.

"Utah is a living laboratory for 'smart' design," Muir said. "There is no better place than the University of Utah to train students for the challenges of explosive growth in a way that balances innovative design of our building and our built environment with the most stunning natural landscape in the nation."

He is a past president of the American Institute of Architects Utah, serves on the board of governors for the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and as board chairman of the Downtown Alliance, among other community leadership roles. He also earned membership in the prestigious College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects.

Muir will assume his duties as director of the school Wednesday.