Hidden in Plain Site – Details, episodes & analysis

Saundra Little and Karen Burton look back on their conversations in season one and insights they uncovered along the way.

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Bryan L. Cook, NOMA, AIA  is the Director of the Detroit Office of Berardi + Partners, and a member of MAF’s K-12 committee.

Bryan is the co-founder of NOMA-Detroit’s Project Pipeline Architecture Mentorship program, which invites high school students to learn about the field of architecture and engage with professionals that look like them, all of whom are underrepresented in the design field. The program advocates for increased inclusiveness, diversity, fellowship, equity, and excellence in design.

Show Topics

AIA Detroit 2021 Young Architect Award winner

NOMA Detroit President 2021-22

Design City of Design Spotlight 

Cass Technical High School

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cass_Technical_High_School 

University of Michigan Arch Prep

https://taubmancollege.umich.edu/architecture/high-school-programs/michigan-architecture-prep 

LTU -Detroit Center for Design and Technology (DCDT) - https://www.ltu.edu/architecture_and_design/places_detroit.asp 

Michigan Architectural Foundation https://michiganarchitecturalfoundation.org/education/resources-for-kids/

Arch Treks https://www.pbs.org/video/dptv-education-architreks-shapes/ 

Rae Dumke Collection - https://www.baldwinlib.org/architecture/ 

DCDC - https://www.dcdc-udm.org/projects/p-20-cradle-to-career-campus 

Grow Detroit Young Talent  - https://gdyt.org/ 

NOMA Pipeline

https://www.noma.net/project-pipeline/ 

https://www.nomadetroit.org/project-pipeline 

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Kimberly Dowdell is a licensed architect and frequent speaker on the topic of architecture, leadership, diversity, sustainability and the future of cities. In her recently completed term as the 2019-2020 national president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), she worked closely with her board of directors and staff to increase opportunities for women and people of color to gain more equitable access to the building professions.

She also more than doubled the organization’s membership and significantly raised NOMA’s profile during her two-years in office. Kimberly’s career aspirations are rooted in her upbringing in Detroit, where she was initially driven to utilize architecture as a tool to revitalize cities. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture at Cornell University and her Master of Public Administration at Harvard University. Her professional experience has spanned from architecture to government and teaching to real estate development.

Kimberly is currently a Principal in the Chicago studio of HOK, a leading global design firm. She co-founded the SEED Network in 2005 and has been a LEED accredited professional since 2007. In 2022, Kimberly was elected to serve as the 2024 National President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). She was also elected to the Cornell University Board of Trustees. Kimberly’s overarching mission is to improve people’s lives, by design.

Detroit City of Design Spotlight

Cranbrook Schools is a private, PK–12 preparatory school located on a 319-acre (129 ha) campus in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The schools comprise a co-educational elementary school, a middle school with separate schools for boys and girls, and a co-educational high school with boarding facilities. Cranbrook Schools is part of the Cranbrook Educational Community (CEC), which includes the Cranbrook Institute of Science, the Cranbrook Academy of Art, and Cranbrook House and Gardens. (Nearby Christ Church Cranbrook remains outside this formal structure.) The Cranbrook community was established by publishing mogul George Booth, who bought the site of today's Cranbrook community in 1904. Cranbrook was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 29, 1989 for its significant architecture and design. It attracts tourists from around the world.[1][2] Approximately 40 acres (160,000 m2) of Cranbrook Schools' campus are gardens.

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Historically, the work of Black Architects has not been recognized at the same level and through the same lens as their peers. Although they attain the same education, perform on the same project teams, and complete similar project types, their credentials are questioned, and their work often goes unnoticed.

As little girls, hosts, Saundra Little and Karen Burton dreamed of being Architects. Join them on a very personal journey as they weave together stories from the careers and lives of Black Architects and highlight Hidden-In-Plain-Site projects for their award-winning Noir Design Parti project that was birthed in Detroit. Now the world can get to know the very significant contributions contemporary and trailblazing Architects have made to the profession, the community and major cities across the U.S.

Born and raised in the Washington D.C. Metro Area; Kimberly began her Architectural career in Detroit, MI working for local design firms. She founded Dokes Design Architecture, LLC. in 2009 and is currently the Principal. She attended College in Southern Alabama at the historical Tuskegee University where she obtained her Bachelor of Architecture degree. She has participated in a variety of building project types include multi-family, K-12 school buildings, higher education/university facilities, recreation/youth centers, historic preservation projects, office space consolidation, office renovations, and tenant build-out spaces. Kimberly has also enjoyed the complexity of large (federal bond) capital improvements and modernization programs. Such programs include The CIP Infrastructures Program at Detroit Metro Airport and Willow Run Airport; The North Terminal Redevelopment Program at Detroit Metro Airport; and The Detroit Public School Proposal S Bond Program.

Detroit of Design Spotlight Show Notes

Shinola Hotels 

David Whitney  -Daniel H. Burnham & Co.- Alofts neo-renaissance

Element Hotel at Metropolitan - Architects Weston and Ellington designed it in a Neo-Gothic style

Siren Hotel by Ash

Sonder Hotel Randolph Hotel - 139 Cadillac 

Book Cadillac Hotel - Louis Kamper 

Fort Shelby Hotel - Albert Kahn

Black Owned Bed and Breakfast Hotels

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Imani Day, AIA, is the founder and principal of Detroit-based RVSN Studios, which focuses on using architecture as advocacy. As a member of the executive board of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and AIA Detroit, she champions equity within the profession. As a writer/editor, she works to amplify underrepresented voices and uncover issues in the industry. She is the 13th African American woman to become a licensed architect in the state of Michigan and the 463rd in the U.S.

Cornell University

https://aap.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/person/Resume_CV_Imani%20Day%202022.pdf

https://issuu.com/imaniday/docs/imani_day_resume_selectedwork__e7a668c212084a

Article written by Imani

https://www.architectmagazine.com/author/imani-day

https://www.architectmagazine.com/practice/imani-day-building-a-centralized-equity-framework-into-architecture_o

https://www.architectmagazine.com/practice/imani-day-lets-get-real-about-diversity_o

https://program.expochicago.com/author/iday/

AIA Blueprint

https://blueprintforbetter.org/articles/shaping-the-equitable-city/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=b4b-display-aia&gclid=CjwKCAiA7IGcBhA8EiwAFfUDsZs6H8QDeLcVTtHFwGTNajZ411M4M40mcroMmcRPRYhyOm93Gpu94xoC4VQQAvD_BwE

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Michael Ford, known as the "Hip-Hop Architect", is an architect, designer, educator, and keynote speaker whose years of research, publications, and lectures seek to fuse his two passions, hip-hop culture, and architecture. In hip-hop architecture, Ford provides an alternative to the western canon in architecture and urban theory. This model not only celebrates diversity but also appeals to young people of color, encouraging them to join the profession and think critically about the built environment they live in.  Ford is a professor in the architecture program at Madison College and the founder of BrandNu Design.

Ford was born and raised in Highland Park, Michigan, just outside of Detroit

BrandNu Design

http://brandnudesign.com/ 

HERMAN MILLER X MICHAEL FORD

https://archinect.com/news/article/150245783/herman-miller-teams-up-with-hip-hop-architect-michael-ford

https://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/the-hip-hop-architect

Hip Hop Architecture: The Post Occupancy Report of Modernism | Mike Ford | TEDxMadison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4J5Y_4_ddM 

Did you know there are only 10 licensed Black Architects in The State of Wisconsin?

As President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects, my goal is to increase the visibility of these architects while also increasing the number of Black architects in the State of Wisconsin.

• Marion Clendenen- Acosta
• George Edwards
• Abdelweli Elmi
• Michael Ford
• Daniel Inyang
• Anina Mbilinyi
• Isaac Menyoli, AIA, NCARB, LEED
• Chitani Ndisale
• Nicholas Hans Robinson, AIA, NCARB
• Walter Wilson

Check out the Directory of Black African American Architects to find out how many are in your state https://blackarchitect.us/ 

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Naomi Beasley-Porter is a native Detroiter and lover of all things Detroit. She is a proud East Sider and Cass Technician with a Master's Degree in Architecture from the  University of Detroit Mercy (where she also adjuncts). With a combined 10+ years of experience, Naomi worked in architecture firms but was searching for more fulfilling work. Post professional architectural practice, she translated her skillset to development finance with the City of Detroit, where she currently manages federal funds to support the building of various affordable housing development types. Naomi has found passion in doing work where the outcome directly benefits the people of Detroit; and is invested in continuing to learn, grow, and evolve to have an even greater impact in her City.

When Naomi is not working, she loves to spend time with her husband, family, and friends, explore Detroit, try new foods, and watch Christmas movies. In years past, she has been active with various organizations within her community and the architectural profession; she looks forward to circling back soon.

Detroit City of Design Spotlight

Affordable Housing For Detroiters: 7 Point, $203 Million Plan for 2022

https://detroitmi.gov/departments/housing-and-revitalization-department/affordable-housing/detroit-housing-plans#:~:text=Affordable%20Housing%20For%20Detroiters%3A%207,to%20be%20funded%20in%202022.

OSI Art Apartments

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/10/15/osi-art-affordable-housing-detroit-woodbridge/3654761001/

Freelon Apartments at Sugar Hill

https://www.poah.org/property/michigan/freelon-sugar-hill 

Woodward West

https://woodwardwest.city/   

Show Topic Link

NOMA 2012 Conference In Detroit

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Kendal Bowman is a licensed Architect in Illinois and Michigan with 14+ years of experience in the profession of design.  He is currently the Principal of Arcos Studio, LLC [Arcos] along with a Project Architect at TMP Architecture, INC [TMP] doing incremental development and Educational Architecture respectively.  Over the years, he has garnered experience in a myriad of Architectural sectors allowing for his portfolio of work to extend from historic renovation and preservation of existing buildings in Detroit to Airport Additions in Abu Dhabi.  At every juncture, Kendal has quickly and effectively learned the intricacies of each sector to become an indispensable part of a team.

As Principal of Arcos Studio, Kendal has returned to his hometown - Pontiac, Michigan - to work through the development of the city with the mantra ‘Access + Equity By Design.  He is focusing on affordably renovating single and multi-family homes while producing developments at a smaller scale for the community.  He is actively involved with community-based programs and independently working with individuals looking to further their experience in the Architecture and Design field. 

His position at TMP as a Project Architect has afforded him the opportunity to work on educational architecture in urban landscapes with the hopes of providing a much-needed voice to the design process.

From a community lens, he is President-elect for the Detroit Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects looking to build on the success of his predecessors and leave his mark on the chapter where he can.

Show Topic Links:

History of Pontiac Michigan https://www.pontiac.mi.us/about/history/city_history.php

Pontiac Commercial Historic District https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Commercial_Historic_District

University of Michigan https://taubmancollege.umich.edu/

https://www.nomadetroit.org/about

https://www.tmp-architecture.com/

Favorite Projects (no particular order):

1. Abu Dhabi Airport Addition - UAE - https://www.ghafari.com/projects/abu-dhabi-terminal-1-3-improvements

2. Capitol Park Renovation (1212 Griswold, 1145 Griswold, 1249 Griswold) – Detroit https://www.miplace.org/4a735d/globalassets/documents/project-profile-pdfs/griswold_lofts.pdf

3. David Whitney Building – Detroit https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2022/05/25/david-whitney-building-undergo-renovation-add-hotel-rooms/9931380002/

4. Record Copy Services - Chicago

5. AMMROC MRO - Al Ain, UAE

6. Osi Apartments – Detroit https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/10/15/osi-art-affordable-housing-detroit-woodbridge/3654761001/

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Sara is a Detroit-based architectural designer, educator, mentor and theorist. She currently works at Quinn Evans, an architectural firm where she works at the intersection of design, planning, and community engagement in order to bring her clients’ visions to life and collaborate with project communities. 

Outside of her professional pursuits, she is the Youth Outreach chair for NOMA National, where she has led Project Pipeline - a free, five-day youth architecture camp - for the past 4 years. She is also engaged with her research “Call and Response: Speculation of a Future Typology for the Black Church”, which aims to clarify a design language to the historic American Black Church, while proposing a building typology for the Black Church in this current moment. 

5 favorite projects

• Woodbridge Neighborhood & Design Guidelines - Woodbridge, Detroit, MI [Quinn Evans]
• Allied Media LOVE Building - Woodbridge, Detroit, MI [Quinn Evans]
• Mosaic Eastern Market - Eastern Market, Detroit, MI [Quinn Evans]
• Michigan Architecture Prep Program - Detroit, MI [UM TCAUP/Michigan-Mellon Fellowship]
• Dyett High School - Washington Park, Chicago, IL [Brook Architecture]

Detroit City of Design Spotlight

20th Century Civil Rights Sites (Michigan)

Second Baptist Church – Detroit

Bethel AME Church – Detroit

African Methodist Episcopal Church (denomination)

Shrine of the Black Madonna – Detroit

New Bethel Baptist Church - Detroit

The Black Church, PBS

Nation of Islam Mosque No. 1

Donald White, Michigan's first licensed black architect, broke new ground – Michigan Radio

Show Topic Links

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and NOMA: Baseline On Belonging

University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

NOMAS Student Design...