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Understanding the work of African American architects is crucial for many reasons. First, it addresses historical imbalances by highlighting the sometimes forgotten achievements of black architects and builders. Their work had a huge impact on the built environment in the United States. Appreciating this heritage is a step toward a more inclusive and honest portrayal of the country’s history. More than that, these works of art are physical expressions of cultural history and perseverance. They represent the resilience, resourcefulness and innovative spirit of Black Americans from the Civil Rights era and beyond to the present day.
Harlem – The Legacy of Vitna Tandy
Harlem is the perfect place to start this architectural journey. The neighborhood is the home of pioneering black architect Vertner Tandy. Vertner Tandy was the first African American architect registered in New York State. In 1906, he was one of the seven founders of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at Cornell University. Tandy co-founded the firm Tandy & Foster with George Washington Foster, one of the first African-American architects licensed in New Jersey. Headquartered on Broadway in New York City.
Tandy’s most famous commission is arguably Villa Lewaro, the $250,000 estate of wealthy Harlem woman CJ Walker in Irvington-on-Hudson, New York. His other notable works include the Ivey Delph Apartments at 204 West 134th Street in Harlem and St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, designed by his architectural firm, Tandy & Foster. The Ivey Delph Apartments were built in 1948 and were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
Texas – The Visionary Works of John Chase
Next was a trip to Texas, where John Saunders Chase Jr. made history as the state’s first certified African American architect. Among his many notable buildings is the 1963 Riverside National Bank, the first black-owned bank in Texas. Expanding on ideas presented in his master’s thesis, “Progressive Architecture in the Black Baptist Church,” Chase also built the David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in East Austin, Texas.
Chase is also responsible for several buildings at Texas Southern University in Houston. These include the Thurgood Marshall Masters College, the Ernest S. Sterling Student Life Center and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanities Building. Chase’s architectural style embraced Frank Lloyd Wright’s American ideals, with the goal of creating places where people could come together.
LOS ANGELES—The achievements of Paul R. Williams
Los Angeles carries the extraordinary legacy of Paul R. Williams, an architect whose talent transcended racial barriers. Williams’ work at the beautiful First AME Church in Los Angeles left a lasting impact on Southern California. The church’s neoclassical architecture and perfect artistry reflect his mastery of architectural aesthetics.
Williams was also responsible for some of the most elegant residential designs in Beverly Hills. His design for the home of famous singer Frank Sinatra exemplified his talent for combining classical and modern architectural elements. The house’s curved shape blends effortlessly with the surrounding terrain, showcasing his unique style. William was the first African American architect admitted to the American Institute of Architects.
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