Bio:

The great architect, Dina A. Griffin, FAIA, NOMA, IIDA, became president of Interactive Design Architects (IDEA) in 1999. Under her leadership, along with partners Charles Young and Robert Larsen, IDEA has successfully completed a multitude of projects for clients such as The University of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago and the General Services

Administration among many others. Dina has been instrumental in bolstering the firm’s commitment to collaboration and the opportunity to create, learn and interact with other thought leaders in the profession. The firm has partnered with internationally renowned firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, HOK and Renzo Piano Building Workshop. In 2016, IDEA was awarded The African American Cultural Center project at Dina’s alma mater, the University of Illinois. That same year, IDEA was selected to join the team of Tod Williams|Billie Tsien Architects to design the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

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Dina’s belief that change is inspired through leadership has motivated her active involvement both within and outside the profession. In addition to past leadership and board positions with the National Organization of Minority Architects and the American Institute of Architects, Dina currently serves on the Illinois Architect Licensing Board as Chair; treasurer for Region 4 of National Council for Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the International Interior

Design Association; and the Advisory Board for Contract Magazine.

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Reaching aspiring students is fundamental to Dina’s mission to encourage and guide minorities interested in building valuable careers in architecture. She is a sought after speaker, regularly presenting to schools and universities as well as to organizations including the AIA, NOMA, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. In 2018, Dina was the recipient of the IIDA Star Award, a Women in Design Honoree and was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in recognition of her service to the profession, and to society, through her dedicated outreach to minority architecture students and emerging professionals.

 

Object:

Object Five - Alternative career, volunteer work with organizations not directly connected with the built environment, or service to society

 

Year of Elevation: 

2018

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Featured Project Name: 

Bruce Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC) at the University of Illinois

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Featured Project Location: 

Urbana-Champaign Campus

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

2019

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Role in Featured Project: 

Architect

 

Featured Project Description:

The Bruce Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign campus is a new building located just off of the main quad on a heavily traveled corner within the block of cultural houses.  The 2-1/2 story, 8,200 GSF building supports BNAACC’s divergent goals of inclusion and openness while at the same time being a sanctuary of learning and support.  The exterior expresses these goals through transparency on the first level and a solid brick envelope on the second level.  We designed the center to “wear its identity” through the variation of the brick façade making it an easily recognizable addition to campus.  The building’s scale bridges the gap between a residential, home-like structure and an institutional campus building, while the stadium seating, transparent interior walls and furniture clusters support a modern, flexible approach responding to different programs and groups.

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Photography Credit:

Interactive Design Architects

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Featured Project Name: 

The Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago

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Featured Project Location: 

Chicago, IL

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

2009

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Role in Featured Project: 

Architect of Record

 

Featured Project Description:

The Modern Wing features new galleries for Modern art, Contemporary art, Architecture, and Photography collections, and a dedicated gallery for special exhibitions. The new main entrance that fronts on Millennium Park leads visitors down a Main Street flooded with natural light that provides access to the Ryan Education Center, an outdoor sculpture garden, a rooftop sculpture terrace and restaurant connected to Millennium Park by the new Nichols Bridgeway, a gift shop and the extensive galleries

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Photography Credit:

Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Interactive Design Architects, et al.