Black History Month Architect and Designer Appreciation Part One
Ishka Designs: Anishka Clarke and Niya Bascom the duo who compromise the Brooklyn based design team who according to their words are “dedicated to creating efficiently beautiful, casually sophisticated, minimalist interiors.” In our humble opinions their work definitely says that! And we aren’t the only fans! In 2020 they made Sotheby’s 20 designers for 2020 list and for the last 3 years they have made Elle Decor’s A-List. @ishkadesigns
Christopher Charles Evans: Christopher Charles Evans is the principal owner of Christopher Charles Interiors and INDIGORED, LLC located in Houston, TX. It states on their website that their style is “bold elegant and sophisticated color palettes in conjunction with varied textures, patterns, and global decor, we create not just merely beautiful spaces but environments that are experiences.” From what we’ve seen on their website and IG this is definitely the truth! Featured in Architectural Digest and Elle Decor, it seems if you're not a fan you're late to the party! @christophercharlesinteriors
Pascale Sablan: We came across a video on a website that brought tears to our eyes. The website belongs to Beyond the Built Environment and the video was made by Founder and Executive Director Pascale Sablan. The words that resonated with us were when she said her professor told her she couldn’t be an architect due to her gender and her race. As women in construction we know a little something about that. We haven’t let it stop us and it certainly hasn’t stopped her! With many accolades and awards behind her including President of NOMA, 2022 Anthem Award winner, AIANY Board of Director, AIA Young Architects Award, Building Design and Construction 40 under 40, Pratt Alumni Achievement Award, and many more! This is certainly a young rising star to keep your eye on! @pascalesablan Beyond The Built Environment
Georgia Louise Brown: Georgia Louise Brown (1918-1999) is considered the second African American woman to become a licensed architect in the US. She was also the first Black woman to earn a degree in architecture from the University of Kansas; where like many women she encountered sexism when a professor asked several times if she didn't think she would prefer home economics to architecture. Nothing doing! She stuck to architecture and graduated in 1944. Some years later in 1951 she traveled to Brazil and felt like she could be more free to express herself there. So much so she learned Portuguese and moved there in 1953. She had a flourishing career despite it taking many years to get a Brazilian license which she didn't obtain till 1970. She stayed until 1993 when illness forced her into retirement and she returned to the US. Apparently Brown never thought of herself having been a black pioneer female architect, but simply an architect. We hope someday the whole world sees it that way too.
