Women & Black Architects Born in the 19th Century

with Robert Arthur King

Women and Black architects have contributed significantly to architecture in the nineteenth century in all styles from Beaux Arts through Art Deco and International Style. As minorities within the profession of architecture they achieved projects both nationally and internationally with great odds working against them.

From J. Louise Blanchard and Marion Lucy Mahoney to Sophia G. Hayden and Julia Morgan, women have taken second place in noting their achievements and have taken a back seat to the male architects. Black architects, such as Robert Robinson Taylor and Paul Revere Williams, have also made significant achievements in architecture without notoriety. In this lecture, King focuses on both Black and female architects who were born in the 19th century and their contributions and achievements in the architectural profession.

Robert Arthur King, FAIA has been a practicing registered architect since 1984, undertaking a broad range of projects: rehabilitation of single-family Victorian-era homes, pre-War multiple dwelling buildings, and commercial spaces. King has earned professional distinction for his design and restoration of historic row house buildings in all five boroughs in New York City to their original grandeur, while infused with modern appurtenances to meet the social and technological demands of contemporary life.

King combined his interests and expertise in 19thcentury architecture and photography, in his books ‘Faces In Stone’, ‘Animals in Stone’ and ‘Figures in Stone’, focusing on New York City published by W. W. Norton, exemplifying the often unnoticed details adorning historic structures. He also has taken building detail photographs in several other city in the United States and Europe. In addition his photographs have been on exhibition in galleries in New York City. This passion was portrayed in a short film documentary about King, ‘Stonefaced’ that was featured at several film festivals throughout the United States in 2012.

King, an adjunct professor at the New York School of Interior Design since 1989, holds a master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Architecture and a postgraduate degree from the Architectural Association Graduate School in London. In addition, he was elevated to “The College of Fellows” in the American Institute of Architect in 2014. He is a registered architect in New York and thirteen other states, and a certified interior designer in New York State.

Sponsors

Lead Annual Public Programs Sponsor: RINCK

Seasonal Public Programs Sponsor: Dell Mitchell Architects

Seasonal Public Programs Sponsor: Hyde Park Mouldings

Tags: Lectures & Public Programs