Bio:
The great architect, David Hughes, born 1947, Brooklyn, NY, B. Arch, 1974, Columbia U., M.U.P., 1975, CCNY, Licensed Planner, N.J., 1975, Licensed Architect, Ohio, 1979, Principal & founder, DHC Architects, 1979, completed 50+ projects to date, Professor of Architecture,, Kent State University, 1985-2020, Fulbright Scholar Award for Research & Lecture, 1990-92, world travel (100+ countries), 1967-2019, Lectured on 5 continents, member AIA, 1979-2020, Fellow, 2017, member NOMA, 1979-2020, elevated to Council, 2018.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I began my journey as a student in High School and have continued through 55 years of study, research, teaching, lecturing and practice. I have had great mentors and have also influenced and inspired generations of aspiring, accomplished architects.

What do you do?
Professor of Architecture, 35 years, Kent State University, Principal, 40 years, DHC architects, Researcher, over 50 years of world travel and photo documentation of great architecture, Author, 26 years, and theorist- Afrocentric Architecture.

What excites you in the work you do?
As Professor, to train aspiring architects and see them eventually reach their goals, as Practitioner to have the opportunity to impact my community and the built environment, as Author and Theorist to advance the influence of African Architecture.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
Inspired to contribute to my profession and community. Inspired by great Architects, James Doman, assisted my entry into Columbia and J. Max Bond & James Stewart Polshek, my Profs and Robert P. Madison, who impacted my faculty appointment at Kent St.
 
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
My Theory, Afrocentric Architecture, embraced worldwide and recognized by elevation into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, in 2017 and only the third African American Fellow in the history of Ohio AIA.
 

Object:

Object Two - Practice Management, or Practice Technical Advancement

 

Year of Elevation: 

2017

Featured Project Name: 
Afrocentric Architecture
 
Featured Project Location: 
Publication
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
1994-2020

Role in Featured Project: 
Theorist, Author, Lecturer
 
Featured Project Description:
Afrocentric Architecture, a theory, established that architecture created from African cultural, historical or environmental elements can have an impact on modern design. 30 years, since first introduced has resulted in award winning work and recognition around the world.

Photography Credit:
David Hughes

Featured Project Name: 
Cleveland Public Library’s Woodland Branch

Featured Project Location: 
Cleveland, Ohio

Featured Project Completion Date: 
2021

Role in Featured Project: 
Architect / Community Engagement Lead 

Featured Project Description:
Bostwick Design Partnership and Ubiquitous Design Ltd. sprearheaded the Woodland Branch project which will create a community plaza to serve the neighborhood and a central distribution facility to improve library efficiency. One of the branch’s key design features will be a “community living room,” a large, central space with plenty of windows that will maximize visibility from both inside and outside the building, letting the community know this resource is truly for everyone.

Photography Credit:
Bostwick Design Partnership and Ubiquitous Design Ltd.