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)

NOMA Supporters Move Up in Ranks with AIA

Two long time NOMA supporters have recently moved up in the ranks of the American Institute of Architects. Terrence O'Neal of New York has become the President of AIA New York State, while Marshall Purnell was voted in as the 2008 President of the Institute this past weekend at the Annual AIA Convention in Los Angeles. Read more about Mr. O'Neal and Mr. Purnell.

For Immediate Release

May 16, 2006

Terrence E. O'Neal Is President of AIA New York State

O'Neal is the first African American to hold the post

New York, NY - Terrence E. O'Neal, AIA, the principal of Terrence O'Neal Architect LLC (TONA), was recently inaugurated as president of the American Institute of Architects New York State (AIANYS). He is the first African American to hold the post.

Noting that architects provide the ideal link between the community and the government, O'Neal pledged to strengthen the organization's advocacy role and to advance his theme for 2006: One New York State. I chose this as the theme for my term as president to unify the state for our milestone year, our 75th anniversary, said O'Neal. He hopes to help implement the goal by urging AIANYS members to reach out to their local and regional elected officials to begin dialogues on topics that affect all areas of the state. A related theme this year is fostering Livable Communities, a topic that affects every city, town and village in different ways whether the focus is on renovating a waterfront or revitalizing a downtown, he said.

Outgoing President Barbara Smith Mishara, AIA, said, We are glad to have someone with Terrence's broad vision and deep commitment to champion our goals. We are especially pleased to have him speak for us during this special year.

O'Neal has served on the Board of Directors of AIANYS since 2001, most recently as vice president government affairs and chair of the NYS Architects Political Action Committee (NYSAPAC). He has headed various lobbying delegations in Albany and Washington, D.C., throughout the years and has met with the staffs of Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton as well as with numerous state legislators.

TONA, the full-service Manhattan-based firm O'Neal founded in 1993, provides architecture, interior design, project management and planning services for public and private clients. Its major projects include a series of rehabilitations for Covenant House New York; over 40 large-scale multi-housing developments; fit-outs for major corporations including NBC Universal and Prudential Financial; interior work for such healthcare institutions as Memorial Sloan-Kettering; and new construction and renovations for public schools.

The firm's work has been exhibited at City University of New York and was showcased at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Center for Architecture in New York City. O'Neal has been honored by the U.S. General Services Administration, has taught at the New York Institute of Technology, and has served on design juries at Pratt Institute and the New York School of Interior Design.

O'Neal is a mentor and an active member of NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects). He has served as a trustee of the New York Foundation for Architecture, and was vice president of Public Education overseeing the Learning by Design NY program that brings architecture education to grades K through 12.

O'Neal, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, received his Bachelor of Architecture from Kent State University.

Founded in 1931, AIANYS, headquartered in Albany, represents 13 chapters and speaks for the interests of all registered architects in New York State. Its parent organization, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), is a nationwide association based in Washington, D.C.

For additional information on Terrence O'Neal Architect LLC, visit www.terrenceonealarchitect.com. To learn more about AIANYS, visit www.aianys.org.

Media contact:

Evelyn Mertens

914.762.6429

emertens@westnet.com

(6/12/2006)

NOMA Magazine

Download the First Quarter 2006 issue of NOMA Magazine (3.4 Meg .pdf)

Download the October 2005/Conference Issue of NOMA Magazine (7.5 Meg .pdf)