News

  • Architecture Legends and the Importance of Nathan Johnson (1925 - 2021)

    by Karen Burton

    Nathan Johnson has rockstar status with us. Saundra and I started our Noir Design Parti project in 2016 to research the history and chronicle the work of Black Architects in Detroit. Mr. Johnson was the last living of our then list of nine Trailblazers – the first generation of Black Architects licensed to practice in Michigan.

    His love for modern architecture came from his internal fight against colonial architecture's history of oppression of Black Americans in the South. He designed over 30 churches in the mid-century modern style across metro Detroit.

    Posted in architects, mid-century modern, modernist, Nathan Johnson

  • Hidden In Plain Site

    by Karen Burton
    Never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd end up here. We both love architecture and enjoy the camaraderie with architects and designers. "I don't know any Black architects," we'd hear people say. Making the invisible visible became our mission. 
    Posted in architects, Black History, diversity

  • The impactful legacy of Detroit architect Nathan Johnson

    by Karen Burton
    Karen Burton and Saundra Little talk with April Baer, host of Stateside on Michigan Radio, about architect Nathan Johnson's lasting impact on Detroit and the architecture community.
    Posted in Detroit history, interviews, mid-century modern, Nathan Johnson, podcasts

  • Noir Design Parti Detroit West McNichols Black Architects Exhibit & Panel Discussion

    by Karen Burton
    Update: On Nov. 18, 2021, Noir Design Parti led a discussion among Black Developers and Architects completing projects along West McNichols Road (6...

  • Noir Design Parti Storefront Exhibit at West McNichols in Detroit

    by Karen Burton
    After wrapping up the National Organization of Minority Architects 50th Homecoming Conference which included our pilot Architects BUILD Wiki Edit-a...
    Posted in Black History, Detroit history, Donald White

  • Organizations discuss preserving Detroit's African American history

    by Karen Burton
    Over half-century after the 1967 uprising, black historians often still feel out of place in the archive world. Noir Design Parti connected with other organizations to discuss why preserving Detroit's African American history is crucial.
    Posted in Black History, Detroit history

  • It's a Website Launch Party

    by Noir Design Parti Admin

    Wednesday, August 12 at 9 a.m., Noir Design Parti launched our new site where we're storytelling and sharing the work of Michigan's Black architects.

    Thank you to our website Sponsors and Contributors:

     

    QUINN EVANS

     DIGITAL DETROIT

    CLAY LAW PLC

    Christa Azar Amy Elliott Bragg 
    Ara Howrani Kiana Wenzell

     

     

  • Noir Design Parti - Wins Digital Detroit Grant

    by Noir Design Parti Admin
    Noir Design Parti is one of 100 businesses that are to participating in a 5-week website accelerator. Mayor Mike Duggan and the City of Detroit has...

  • Podcast - Architecture is Political interview Noir Design Parti

    by Noir Design Parti Admin
    Noir Design Parti interviewed by Mellisa Daniels about our research of Detroit's Blacks Architects. 

    A PODCAST WHERE BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT ARCHITECTURE.

  • A Brief History of Black Architects in Detroit presented by AIA Detroit

    by Noir Design Parti Admin
    The Detroit Chapter of the American Institute of Architects presents Noir Design Parti's Brief History of Black Architects in Detroit, Monday February 18, 2018 at 6 p.m.
    Posted in AIA, AIAD, American Institute of Architects, Detroit Chapter of the American Institute of Architects

  • November 28th is Giving Tuesday

    by Noir Design Parti Admin
    Donate to the Noir Design Parti project in Giving Tuesday - November 28, 2017. When you give to Noir Design Parti, you help us to share the significant contributions of Black architects of the past and present, their influence on design...

  • Presenting Detroit's Black Architects at NOMA's Conference in Houston

    by Karen Burton
    Noir Design Parti presentation at the 45th Annual Conference of the National Organization of Minority Architects in Houston, TX
    Posted in National Organization of Minority Architects, NOMA, Speaking