Norma M. Sklarek was the first black woman to be named a fellow by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Just a few years later, she and two other women had their own firm. Today, according to the Directory of African American Architects, black architects still only make up two percent of the nation’s licensed practitioners, but a new map developed by the Los Angeles chapter of the AIA is shining a light on buildings with input from black architects.
The map shows that black architects have played a major role in designing buildings like the historic LAX Theme Building to several other churches, temples, restaurants and hospitals. The map spreads across LA and is part of a series of programs designed to "highlight the spatial history of African-American life in Los Angeles," as Next City reports.
Photo: Douglas F. Dollarhide Community Center by architect by Michael H. Anderson (Photo by Nico Marques/Marques Architectural Photography)
Though the number of black architects may still be low, those past and presently in the field continue to make history. Legend Paul Revere Williams, the most famed black LA architect will posthumously be awarded the AIA’s 2017 Gold Medal, their highest honor. He is the first black person achieve the honor.
This new map, which hopefully will someday expand beyond LA, may serve as an inspiration to inspiring black architects and is a great way to highlight our undeniable role in modern cities.
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