Career choice awareness
Additionally, NOMA has begun to make inroads in primary education to make minority youth, and their parents, aware of architecture as a career choice. NOMA has financially supported organizations like Chicago-based ADventure Program, which introduces minority disadvantaged students to architecture and the built environment. NOMA also partnered with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to support their National Afro-Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) Competition for high school students interested in architecture.

Today we are present and accountable in the AIA

“Architectural students of color gravitate to NOMA because of its sensitivity to their needs,” says Leon Bridges, FAIA, FNOMA, in his letter of support. “NOMA’s membership is small, but its striving for excellence for minority architects continues to increase in its intensity. NOMA’s mere presence provides hope to hundreds of graduating minority architects for their inclusion in an otherwise, still, white-dominated profession.”

Adds NOMA cofounder Van B. Bruner Jr., FAIA: “Over 30 years have [passed] now and NOMA has and is realizing those goals created by the group in the ’70s. Today we are present and accountable in the AIA. Our dream has taken flight. We have contributed to the AIA and America a segment of our society that would have been lost were it not for NOMA.”

(1/2/2007)

Reprinted from AIArchitect 12/15/06 with permission

MOODY•NOLAN CAPTURES AIA GOLD MEDAL FIRM OF THE YEAR

(Columbus, Ohio) – Moody•Nolan, Inc. received the 2006 Gold Medal Firm of the Year Award from the Ohio Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) at its annual conference in Youngstown, Ohio, in September.

Comments from the jury included, “The quality of design stood out and was evident across a variety of building types. The firm has demonstrated responsibility to the profession. They are viewed as a role model for all firms and not only for minority firms.”

The Gold Medal Firm of the Year Award is the highest honor that AIA Ohio bestows on an architectural firm. This award is given annually to a practice the AIA deems to have consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years. Firms have been recognized with this achievement since 1984.

“It is the coming together of this outstanding group of people, and especially their ability to engage in productive collaborations with exceptional clients and consultants, that have afforded us this unprecedented opportunity. We are honored to be the recipient of this truly prestigious award,” exclaimed Curtis J. Moody, founder, president and CEO of Moody•Nolan.

Moody•Nolan was founded in 1982 by Moody, FAIA, and Howard E. Nolan, PE. The firm has grown steadily and today is the largest African American owned and operated architecture/engineering firm in the country. In its 24 years, Moody•Nolan has received over 110 citations for design excellence from local, state and national organizations.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Moody•Nolan is a 136-person firm with offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Nashville and Kansas City, Missouri. The professional services provided by the firm include architecture, civil engineering and interior design. Select recent projects for the firm include the AIA award winning University of Illinois Chicago West Campus Sports and Fitness Facility, Fisk University Cravath Hall, Ithaca College New Athletics and Events Center and The Ohio State University Recreation and Physical Activity Center.

(12/20/2006)

Kliment article on African-American Architects

AIArchitect published the second in the monthly series by Steve Kliment on a history of African American architects. This month’s installment is The Trailblazers.

"Summary: From the time Africans first came to America in 1619, there is evidence of their significant contributions to the built environment of the New World, notes Stephen Kliment in this second installment to his series on diversity in American architecture. He traces that trajectory to the current era, including specific tribute to six noted architects of the 20th century."

The summary

The narrative PDF

The profiles PDF

Please send comments or opinions about the article to Doug Gordon at dgordon@aia.org

(11/13/2006)

KNTM Projects Featured on TV One

KNTM Architects of East Orange, New Jersey, will be featured on 4 upcoming episodes of a television show called Divine Restoration. Divine Restoration is a very special "home renovation" program. Instead of remodeling individual residences, they are making over small to midsize African American churches in need of upgrade or repair.

KNTM Architects partner, Karen Nichols and her team, designed 4 different projects located in Newark which will air on TVOne every Sunday at 1:00 pm during October (10/8, 10/15, 10/22, & 10/29). It also repeats throughout the week on Wednesday mornings @ 9:30 am, Saturday mornings @ 9:00 am, and Sunday mornings @ 6:00 a.m.

Please check your local cable guide to find your TVOne channel and join us in watching the shows:

Episode 201: Greater Harvest Church - New Computer Room & Rehearsal Space

Episode 202: Hands of Woman Ministry – Women’s Center

Episode 203: St. James AME Church – Fellowship Hall & AV Center

Episode 204: 1st Mount Zion Church – New Entry Lobby

You can visit TV One Online > Shows to find out more amount the shows and schedule.

(10/18//2006)

NOMA announces new member benefit

Computer Discount Warehouse (CDW) and NOMA have partnered to create a discount program for NOMA members.  The discount varies and includes hardware and software.   You must be a current paid member in order to take advantage of the program. Download announcement.

(9/5/2006)

Thompson Makes History

The National Organization of Minority Architects was contacted in May by producers Matthew Asner and Danny Gold of The History Channel to find a young talented architect to appear on the pilot of a new show entitled The ArchiTECHS.  Mr. Asner and Mr. Gold were looking for an architect with experience working on skyscrapers, or large buildings, to include in the cast on an upcoming episode on future skyscrapers and building safety.  The episode was to be shot in New York City for three days between June 20th and June 23rd.  The summary of the program’s concept stated that “The ArchiTECHS is a show that takes a team of futuristic out of the box thinkers, at the top of their particular fields, from various professional backgrounds gathered together to solve current problems through design.”  The NOMA Board recommended a number of candidates from across the country to the producers who in turn contacted the individuals and executed quick phone interviews before settling on long-time NOMA member, Andrew Thompson.  Andrew was an ideal candidate due to his experience working on the World Trade Center Building, hospitals, and other high-rise structures.    Mr. Thompson recounts his experience below:

Filming one of the pilots for the History Channel was a great experience. It was a charrette with five characters from very different backgrounds; science fiction author, an industrial designer, a Hollywood CGI specialist, a rocket scientist and myself, the architect. The problem was to design a solution for escaping a high rise fire and getting firefighters to the fire safely and efficiently. We slept in a firehouse for three days, that was cool. We also hung out and talked with NYC firefighters on what they go through in fighting a high rise fire. We had to do a real life scenario in which we had accompanied volunteer firefighters at a training facility in a controlled fire! It was hot man! We came up with some very interesting solutions and can't wait to see them presented on the show. It gave me a new experience on how architects should always think about code and fire safety when designing any high rise, or even mid-rise structure.

Mr. Asner felt that Andrew was a wonderful person for the cast and was grateful to NOMA for its help in finding a qualified candidate.  The television pilot is scheduled to air in September with hopes for being expanded to additional episodes.  Congratulations to Andrew for making the cast and representin’!

(9/2/2006)

Johnson Jones Donates to NOMA Rebuild Efforts

Johnson Jones Architects Planners Inc., based out of Princeton, New Jersey, has become the first NOMA firm to donate to the organization’s rebuild efforts in the Gulf Coast.  Mr. Oliver Franklin, Sr., a principal with the firm, presented a check for $2,500 to the NOMA Board during its 3rd Quarter Meeting held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in August.  NOMA has been continually acting to support its members affected by Hurricanes Katrina & Rita, as well as working behind the scenes to insure the participation of minority firms in the rebuilding of New Orleans.  A number of local minority firms have already benefited from the professional networking accomplished on behalf of NOMA.  The organization is currently in negotiations with Southern University to establish a Community Design Resource Center (SUNOMA) and is speaking with other organizations to partner to provide community assistance.  The generous donation from Johnson Jones will enable NOMA to continue its efforts to help members and the community.  For more information about Johnson Jones please visit their website at www.johnsonjones.com

(9/2/2006)