At the conclusion of the 47th annual National Organization of Minority Architects conference, held Oct. 16-20 in Brooklyn, N.Y., the organization the announced the winners of its inaugural Phil Freelon Professional Design Awards. Recognizing projects that embody “architecture and leadership excellence,” according to a NOMA press release, the program is a continuation of the organization’s decades-old design awards, which was renamed in August to honor the career of renowned industry leader and NOMA member Phil Freelon, who died in July.
Following the announcement, NOMA received a “substantial increase” in submissions, receiving entries from “dozens of NOMA members,” according to the release. The organization ultimately selected five NOMA firms as winners in the categories of vision, built, historic preservation, restoration, and renovation, unbuilt, and small projects. “To recognize industry greats, including Phil Freelon and all those who came before us, is a way to remind us where we’ve come from and what we need to continue to strive for — in terms of design excellence and community leadership—to honor our founders’ strength, courage and vision,” said NOMA president Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, in the same release.
The five honored projects are listed below.
Vision Category: Cleveland Public Library – Martin Luther King Jr. Branch in Cleveland, Ohio, by Vines Architecture
Courtesy Vines Architecture
Courtesy Vines Architecture
Built Category: The Legacy House Project in Columbus, Ohio, by Moody Nolan
Courtesy Moody Nolan
Courtesy Moody Nolan
Historic Preservation, Restoration, and Renovation Category: Phoenix College Physical Science Building in Phoenix, Arizona, by Holly Street Studio
Courtesy Holly Street Studio
Courtesy Holly Street Studio
Unbuilt Category: Destination Crenshaw in Los Angeles, by Perkins and Will
courtesy Perkins&Will
courtesy Perkins&Will
Small Project Category: TUFAS Bouldering Lounge in Philadelphia, by Ian Smith Design Group
Courtesy Ian Smith Design Group
Courtesy Ian Smith Design Group