R&S Celebrates Black History Month
In the month of February, R&S’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is proud to announce Rudolph and Sletten’s first Black History Month post. R&S honors the contributions of some African American architects whose work has helped influence and forge the shape of this country.
But first, WHAT IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH?
Black History Month is a celebration and a time of recognition for the achievements made by African Americans in our country celebrated in the month of February. Although this recognition shouldn’t be limited to the shortest month of the year, we want to shine light on some prominent structures that may be familiar to you. These structures were designed by African American architects whose accomplishments and groundbreaking success helped introduce new methods and procedures for the design and construction industries.
Julian Abele (1881 – 1950)
As chief designer at Horace Trumbauer, Abele designed many important Beaux Arts buildings, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art as well as Harvard’s Widener library.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Widener library – Harvard
Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980)
On the commercial side of architecture, Paul Revere Williams designed the fabulous Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Theme Building at LAX and the Georgian Revival-style MCA Building in Beverly Hills.
The Theme Building at LAX
Norma Merrick Sklarek (1927-2012)
Norma Merrick Sklarek made waves in the architectural industry as the first Black female to become a licensed architect in both New York and California. As if this wasn’t impressive enough, she was also the first Black female to become a member of the American Institute of Architects in 1959. Sklarek built her career on leading large commercial and civic projects like the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. Rudolph and Sletten has had the privilege of completing many projects inside the Pacific Design Center including the Cedar-Sinai MAST project, Cedar-Sinai Bio-Manufacturing Center, and is currently working on the Cedar-Sinai Innovations Center, soon to be completed in 2022. R&S is proud to add to the legacy within Sklarek’s original work.
Pacific Design Center
R&S is proud to recognize the passion for building and quality of work exemplified through the creation and design of these iconic structures.
While we have only highlighted a few African American Architects of the past, see the link below for more pioneering Black designers and builders who shaped America.
https://thecocoon.com/2021/02/18/celebrating-black-history-month-african-americans-in-construction/