MIT Professor Secures Major Architectural Project in D.C.
For RRTN by Tristen Graves
MIT professor and architect, Philip Freelon, landed a major architectural project for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. The museum is set to be built adjacent to the Washington Monument by 2015. With a track record of designing cultural institutions, the Freelon Group Inc. used relevant experience to their advantage during the international design competition.
Anacostia Library, D.C. Public Libraries, ©Mark Herboth
“We have been designing museums for over a decade at the firm,” said Freelon, acknowledging the work of his 50-member architectural firm located in Durham, North Carolina. “We competed for and were selected to do the pre-design and programming work for the museum.” The 14-month programming work process allows for decisions such as, the vision of the museum and possible exhibits.
Team members, Davis Brody Bond, the SmithGroup and Tanzanian-born British architect, David Adjaye are also in collaboration with Freelon on the museum project that will be devoted exclusively to the documentation of African-American life.
With construction set to begin in 2012, the project’s outcome has the potential to inspire and teach millions of visitors; just the type of job Freelon has connected with throughout his 30 years as an architect.
“I happen to be an African-American male from Philadelphia, all of the aspects of who I am come into play as I pursue this career,” said Freelon.
He has had a hand in the design work of many structures throughout his adopted city of Durham and across the country. Project list includes the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, three public library branches, and four buildings on the campus of N.C Central University. Freelon also designed the Museum of African Diaspora, which features a three-story full glass atrium; a primary design piece whose objective is to engage visitors while incorporating the theme of the museum.
The Freelon Group Inc, which Freelon founded, specializes in public sector work. “We prefer to focus on project types that have a positive impact in the communities where they are built. That leads us toward certain projects and away from others. We don’t design prisons,” said Freelon.
Embracing his love for the arts, Freelon states that he was encouraged to pursue his career by his parents and grandparents. His grandfather, Allan Freelon Sr., was a noted painter during the Harlem Renaissance, “he exposed me to the visual arts and the performing arts,” Freelon said.
It was in high school, while in Philadelphia, that Freelon said he was introduced to architecture while taking a drafting and design course. “The subject had a certain aesthetic and technical aspect which intrigued me,” said Freelon. “I didn’t know much about it, only what the average kid knew, which isn’t much. I had the notion it was about designing buildings.”
Freelon earned his Bachelor of Environmental Design degree in Architecture from N.C. State University in 1975 and earned his Master of Architecture degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1977.
“It’s not easy. The process takes a long time. But when you are passionate about something and love doing it, it does not seem like hard work,” said Freelon while discussing the difficulties associated with the training. “Once you get to architecture school it is a very rigorous and demanding program, which is shocking to a lot of people.”
Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise Facility (BRITE)
Not only was completing the education a major stepping stone, Freelon also stated that he became aware of the need for more blacks in the field of architecture. “Architecture school is not a very diverse student body or faculty.”
As a way to bring awareness to the field of architecture among students and minorities, Freelon said that his firm participates in career-day events in the local schools of Durham. “This is one way to spark the interest and overtime it has an effect.” Freelon said.
In addition to actively working in his Durham office, Freelon currently serves as Professor of the Practice of Architecture at MIT, where he is a visiting lecturer during the fall semester. During the course, Freelon introduces his students to how firms operate and how architects practice their profession. “I expose students to real world situations and have architects come in and speak on the role of architects in society,” Freelon said. In addition he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to return something back to the institution.
Freelon was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2003 and was chosen to receive the AIA Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture in 2009. He is married to professional jazz singer, Nnenna Freelon and they have three children, Deen, Maya and Pierce and two grandchildren, Justice and Stella.
Tristen Graves is a Richmond Va.-area based writer. She is a graduate of Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications.
