We could not let Black History month come to an end without highlighting influential African-American designers in our industry. Did you know that in 1931, only 60 Black Americans were listed as registered architects? Today, it is reported that there are a less than 2,000 licensed African-American architects in the United States. Accounting for roughly 1.5% of all licensed architects, we wanted to highlight modern innovators, and a few who paved the way (sorry, we could not list them all).
Architects
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| Paul Williams (Photo Credit: Pasadena Weekly) |
Paul Williams (1894-1980)- a renowned architect, Williams has designed and/or contributed to over 2,000 private homes, and countless public buildings to include: the United Nations Building in Paris (France), Jet-Age Theme Building at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Shrine Auditorium (helped prepare construction drawings), and more. His celebrity client list includes high profile entertainers like Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball.
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| Norma Merrick Sklarek (Photo Credit: Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer for Palisadian Post) |
Norma Merrick Sklarek (1928- )- Norma Sklarek was not only a pioneer for Black Americans, but also Black American women. She was the first Black woman in the United States to become a licensed architect, the first Black woman to be elected Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the first Black woman architect to own her own architectural firm, Siegel, Sklarek, Diamond. Her company is one of the largest women-owned (and staffed) architectural firms in the United States. Top projects include the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo (Japan), and Terminal one at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
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| Marshall Purnell (seen in Architectural Record) |
Marshall Purnell (1950- )- a lover and former (professional) musician, Purnell later became and architect and the first Black president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). A design principal ofDevrouax & Purnell Architects, his caliber of work includes the African American Civil War Memorial, MCI Arena, National Airport Garage, the Washington D.C. Convention Center, and more. His firm is currently working on the designs for the Martin Luther King Memorial.
There were so many great biographies that we simply could not list them all. Here are some articles on Black American architects.
- African-American Architects (Wiki)
Interior Designers
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| Cecil Hayes (Photo Credit: Cecil Hayes website) |
Cecil Hayes (1945- )- where do we begin with Cecil Hayes. Like Norma Merrick Sklarek, Ms. Hayes is a trailblazer for Black American (women) designers. She was the first Black American to be featured inArchitectural Digest, the first Black American designer to be inducted into the Smithsonian Institute’s Design Museum, and the list goes on. Did we also mention that she has been recognized byArchitectural Digest as one of the Top 100 Designers….three times? When she is not making television or radio appearances, she can be seen decorating for the stars. Some of her past clientele include Samuel L. Jackson, Timbaland, and Wesley Snipes.
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| Sheila Bridges (Photo Credit: William Waldron for ELLE Decor) |
Sheila Bridges (1964- )- who doesn’t love Sheila Bridges? Named “American’s Best Interior Designer” by TIME magazine and CNN, Sheila has had quite the career. She has appeared on Oprah, has been a frequent contributor on The Today Show (NBC), and has been profiled in the following magazines:Traditional Home, O The Oprah Magazine, The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, ELLE Decor,Essence, InStyle and more! Hosting her own TV show (Sheila Bridges Designer Living) and producing her own line of home furnishings (Sheila Bridges Home, Inc), Sheila is definitely a woman to remember.
