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Detroit is famous for its architecture—a city filled with beautiful old buildings. Detroit native Kimberly Dowdell grew up around these famous buildings and became an architect as a result.
Dowdell, first black president of the American Institute of Architects, joins MRT Friday to talk about her love of Detroit architecture and how she inspires today’s new generation of architects.
She said she hopes to encourage young women and people of color to pursue careers in the field.
“In the ’80s and ’90s, a lot of buildings started to close or had been closed for a while,” Dowdell said. “So I appreciated the beauty of the old building, but there was something missing, and that was energy.”
One building in particular that inspired her to become an architect was hudson department store Downtown buildings. It closed in 1983 and faced destruction in 1998.
At 11 years old, Dowdell said she thought someone should rededicate the Hudson Building. This introduced her to construction work and what the role involved in her middle school art class.
She recently visited Michigan Grand Central Station, a vacant building that is being converted into Ford Mobility Technology Center campus. She was inspired by life at the train station, but wanted something similar to happen at the Hudson Tower.
As president of the American Institute of Architects, Dowdell said she is pushing for cities to create chief architect positions to help cities solve problems in creative ways.
“I think the most sustainable buildings are buildings that already exist. I like the idea of really investing in existing buildings,” Dowdell said. “Of course we need to build new buildings from time to time, but it’s also important to weave the old and the new together.”
More headlines MRT February 16, 2024:
- Former President Donald Trump will travel to Waterford on Saturday to hold a “get out the vote” rally ahead of Michigan’s Feb. 27 primary. Oakland County Republican Party Chairman Vance Patrick also participated in the program discussion.
- Early voting for Michigan’s primary election begins on February 17. WDET’s Pat Batcheller reports on how staffers are making sure the primary runs smoothly.
- Libraries provide community members with more than just books. Jamie Morris, director of communications and strategy for the Clinton-Macomb Public Library, and Jeff Milo, marketing coordinator for the Ferndale Area Library, attended the show to share how libraries provide community resources in many ways.You can also hear Milo on his new music show Michigan localevery Thursday at 8pm and Saturday at 10pm.
listen MRT Weekdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET on 101.9 FM and Streaming on demand.
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