From ancient temples to soaring, modern skyscrapers, Black architects have had a strong presence throughout history. Today, the tradition of greatness continues.
From the Ground Up: Black Architects and Designers celebrates the enduring innovation and impact of Black architects across the United States. This traveling exhibit highlights individual architects and designers from the late 1800s to today who have broken barriers formed by racism and have created spaces and places that support communities and culture with projects ranging from public housing, to places of worship, museums and universities. Visitors will recognize iconic landmarks from across the country and experience stories of people who paved the way for future generations.
Visitors will also learn about historic and contemporary Black architects and designers from the Seattle-area who have had a local impact, such as Benjamin F. McAdoo Jr., the first Black architect registered in Washington.
Black architects continue to bring their designs to life as a creative response to ever-changing needs, and as a testimonial to a rich heritage. In this exhibit, learn about past and present influential Black architects, hear from Black leaders in the architecture and design fields in video interviews, and engage with tactile interactives. From the Ground Up: Black Architects and Designers encourages guests to discover how Black architects and designers respond to the ever-changing needs of humanity and not only make changes to their communities but the world.
Originally created by the Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago, with a local addition by curatorial consultant Hasaan Kirkland and co-developed with the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, this exhibit celebrates the enduring innovation and impact of Black architects across the United States.
Exhibit Details
On View Dates
Location
Cost
Recommended Audiences
Educators
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Accessibility
Automated Facility Entry
Elevator Available
Screen Reader Compatible Digital Labels
Featured Architects
Architects highlighted in the From the Ground Up: Black Architects and Designers exhibit include:
- Benjamin F. McAdoo Jr.: Graduate of the University of Washington, Department of Architecture and first Black architect registered in Washington.
- Georgia Louise H. Brown: First Black woman to earn a Bachelor of Science in architecture engineering by Kansas University and second to become a licensed architect in the U.S.
- Philip G. Freelon: Founder of The Freelon Group and the first African American architect to join the U.S Commission of Fine Arts.
- Roberta Washington: Founder/principal of Roberta Washington Architects and responsible for designing new and modernized public schools, housing projects, health care facilities and office buildings.
Related Readings
Explore the themes presented in the exhibit in this list of books and films, compiled by librarians at the Seattle Public Library.
Book titles include included in this compilation include:
- Black Built by Paul Wellington
- Adjaye: Africa: Architecture by David Adjaye
- Living Black: Social Life in an African American Neighborhood by Mark S. Fleisher
- Take Back the Block by Chrystal D. Giles
- And many more!
From the Ground Up Education Guide
Educators are welcome to download the Educational Activity Guide created by the educators at the Griffin Museum of Science + Industry Chicago for use in their classrooms. Explore engaging lesson plans which put students in the roles of architects, engineers, and designers.
These lesson plans include specific Next Generation Science Standards connections, ideas for differentiated instruction as well as all the information you need to run the lesson.
This educational guide is designed for ages 8-12, but can be easily enjoyed by audiences of all ages.
Black Heritage Society Of Washington State
MOHAI’s additions to From the Ground Up: Black Architects and Designers were co-developed with the Black Heritage Society of Washington State and curatorial consultant Hasaan Kirkland of Kairos Industry LLC.
An institutional partnership formed between BHS and MOHAI more than 25 years ago. In collaboration with the museum, BHS is proud to support the selection of images by the community curators for the installation of Perspectives on Place: Photographs from Here.
BHS was founded in 1977 with a mission to collect, preserve, and share the history of African Americans from across the region. BHS manages and maintains a large public collection of memorabilia that documents the lives and legacies of Black people who helped and continue to contribute to the vitality of Washington State. The organization’s community engagement expands beyond collections to be advocates for saving historic places in Washington State.
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