CONTACTS:
Karen A. Davis
Detroit Chapter, National Organization of Minority
Architects
PHONE: (248) 629-0441
info@nomadetroit.org
http://www.nomadetroit.org/
National Organization of Minority Architects
PHONE: (202) 686-2780
programs@noma.net
http://noma.net
For Immediate Release
National Organization of Minority Architects 2012 Conference Returns
to Detroit for 40TH Annual Conference October 18 – 20, 2012
WHAT: The National Organization of Minority
Architects (NOMA) returns to the city where it was founded – Detroit, Michigan
– for its 40th annual conference October 18 – 20. With the theme “40 Years in
the Making: A Legacy Driven by Design,” the conference will feature
professional development and continuing education seminars, exhibitors, tours
of Detroit's architecture, a community service project, and a student design
competition focused on the city's Corktown neighborhood.
WHO: More than 500 NOMA members, affiliates
and students are expected, including architects, interior designers, planners, and
construction and real estate professionals. NOMA membership boasts 22 chapters
nationwide and numerous outstanding professionals and firms.
WHERE: The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, 1114
Washington Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48226
WHEN: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, Thursday,
October 18 through Saturday, October 20, 2012
COMMUNITY SERVICE LEGACY
PROJECT: NOMA has designed and will build modular
display units that WARM Training Center will use to share their educational
programs with Detroiters. WARM Training Center is an organization that promotes
the development of resource efficient, affordable, healthy homes and
communities through education, training and technical assistance. Volunteers
and partners are welcome to participate Wednesday, October 17, 2012. See more
on http://pinterest.com/noma2012/community-service-legacy-project/
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Monica Ponce de Leon, dean of the
Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning at the University of Michigan
will present "Minority Opinion" as the Luncheon keynote speaker on
Friday, October 19th.
At the Saturday, October 20th Awards Banquet,
keynote speaker Karen Hudson, will present her grandfather's work, "The Life
& Works of Paul R. Williams." Born in 1894, Mr. Williams was a Los
Angeles-based African American architect who designed homes for numerous celebrities, including Frank Sinatra,
Lucille Ball, and Lon Chaney.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Thursday evening, October 18th
at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI, the Detroit Chapter of
NOMA hosts a panel discussion on Detroit Urban Planning. Scheduled panelist
are: Sue Mosey, president of Midtown Detroit, Inc.; Toni Griffin, consultant to
the Detroit Works Project; Faye Nelson, President & CEO of the Detroit
Riverfront Conservancy; and George W. Jackson, Jr., President & CEO of the
Detroit Economic Growth Corp.
The perennial Bros Arts Ball, which will take place in the beautiful
rotunda of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit
on Friday, October 19th, promises an evening of fun, networking and
museum exploration. NOMA founders will open the event with a discussion of the
organization’s origins and importance to architects and others who are
concerned with the built environment.
The closing Banquet and Awards ceremony on Saturday at the
host hotel will introduce newly elected leadership and present Professional
Design Awards, Chapter and Member of the Year Awards, and the Founder’s Award.
SEMINARS: The Conference features over 60
workshops and seminars with continuing education system learning units (CES)
available from the American Institute of Architects. Presentation topics include: diversity; the city
of Detroit; students and
emerging professionals; design;
sustainability; real estate development; technology; and professional practice.
A complete schedule is available at http://noma.net
STUDENT DESIGN
COMPETITION: “Urban [space] US12... Idea Center” seeks ideas for the invigoration and
infusion of community-led design and economic development in Southwest Detroit.
Design teams from NOMA Student chapters across the U.S. studied historical site
conditions and the current social, cultural, economic, and physical space
conditions found in this unique community, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit of the community's
citizens. Teams will present their designs and
models Saturday, October 20th, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the host hotel
with successful planning and design solutions addressing how the city and neighborhood
can optimally leverage Michigan Avenue’s Corktown District. The Competition brief can be downloaded
at http://noma.net/EventsPrograms/events_2012conference.aspx.
DETROIT TOURS: Available as seminar options or as
separate walking and bus adventures, attendees can explore metro Detroit’s
stunning architecture: Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills; homes designed by
architect Frank Lloyd Wright; downtown Detroit theaters; Lafayette Park, and
more.
SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS: Lawrence Technological University, Gensler,
Taubman
College of Architecture + Urban Planning at the University of
Michigan, The American Institute of
Architects, Bedrock Real Estate Services, Wayne County Community College
District, and many other local and national companies and organizations are
sponsors of this year’s Conference.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with the NOMA Conference conversation
on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest at /NOMA2012 and follow conversation using
the hashtag #NOMA2012.
ABOUT NOMA NATIONAL - The National Organization of Minority
Architects’ (NOMA) mission is to champion diversity within the design professions
by promoting the excellence, community engagement, and professional development
of its members.
ABOUT NOMA DETROIT - The National Organization of Minority
Architects was founded in 1971 as a means to foster communications among
minority architects and to fight discriminatory practices used by public sector
and private clients. Founded in 2006, the Detroit chapter hosts activities that
highlight the architecture profession, the needs of the community, and provides
solutions that will insure a healthy living and working environment.
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Karen A. Davis |
Building Industry Resources
TechTown 440 Burroughs
No. 66 | Detroit, MI 48202 | 248.210.3750 www.buildingsource.net
