project_KHAYELITSHA

Below, NOMA's own Vice-President and recent Loeb Fellow, Steve Lewis, discusses his experiences traveling with colleagues in the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) in South Africa

"One of the most gratifying parts of my fellowship was the semester spent leading a group of 8 GSD students on a project for a community of 450 women artisans in Khayalitsha Township, outside of Cape Town. Check out the attached article at: http://archinect.com/features/article.php?id=65752_0_23_0_C

10/15/07

Joseph W. Robinson, Sr., FAIA, NOMA receives NOMA Atlanta’s Life time Achievement Award

NOMA Atlanta would like to congratulate Joseph W. Robinson, Sr., FAIA, NOMA for his outstanding and distinguished service of over fifty years to the profession of architecture and the community.   On Saturday, September 15th during a special tribute dinner honoring him, with more that 600 people in attendance, he was given NOMA Atlanta’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“In honor and recognition of his perseverance, service, and contributions to the field of Architecture and the City of Atlanta.  Even through the confines of segregation he has established a legacy through his work, mentorship, and leadership in education, design excellence and community service.” 

JW Robinson a graduate from Hampton University is a charter member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and the first African-American architect from Georgia to be inducted into The American Institute of Architects (AIA), College of Fellows (COF).  Not allowing segregation to dampen his spirit of becoming an architect his career started as a teacher at Booker T. Washington High School (1953-1968) where he inspired many of his students to enter the field of architecture.  Through his dedication and perseverance he developed a practice in residential architecture by designing over 200 homes.   

After receiving his license he established his own firm in 1970, J.W. Robinson and Associates.  The firm’s achievements include many public projects including the swimming pool at Grant Park, community centers, educational facilities at both the K through 12 and higher education facilities, libraries, fire stations, projects at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Marta, the C.B. King Federal Courthouse in Albany, GA and private projects for corporations that include Bellsouth, Delta Airlines and the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. 

JW’s leadership extends into the community as well where he has championed historic preservation of buildings and properties that represent the cultural life and accomplishments of African Americans including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthplace and other significant structures in the MLK and Sweet Auburn historic districts. His legacy continues while he works with his two sons in providing direction of the firm. For more information please check out the following link. 

 http://www.newgeorgiaencyclopedia.com/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1075&hl=y.

9/17/07