Architects Phil Freelon and Zena Howard of Perkins + Will?s North Carolina practice are at the helm Black History Month kicked off yesterday, February 1, and two architects are honoring it by announcing four upcoming projects set to focus on African-American contributions to U.S. culture.
Architects Phil Freelon, director of the architecture firm Perkins + Will?s North Carolina practice, and Zena Howard led the four-firm team that designed the recently opened National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., along with British architect David Adjaye, and the late J. Max Bond (for the project, they operated under the name Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup).
In a press release, Freelon and Howard expressed their thoughts on the importance of architecture and its ability to bring people and communities together. ?What has been happening in the U.S. for the last 24 months reminds me of the social and political upheaval of the late 1960s,? said Freelon. ?It is critical that we as a nation see past our differences, focus on our commonalities, and unite to advance a single, shared cause: equality for all Americans.?
Howard continued: ?Understanding the lessons of the past is the first step toward a more tolerant and harmonious America. As architects and designers, we believe we can help bridge divides by using the built environment to promote community and mutual understanding.?
Here?s a brief look at the four projects that Freelon, Howard, and their ...