Episode 059: Building the Pipeline Through K-12 Education

How are architects increasing representation in architecture through early educational outreach?

Project Pipeline was born at the 2002 NOMA conference. Then-president Paul Taylor asked Drake Dillard and David Kirk to research and establish a plan for the camp that would introduce minority students with a focus on black students to architecture with the ultimate goal of creating more licensed black architects. The first camp was held in 2006 in Cincinnati. Since then dozens of camps have been held in more than twenty cities. 

This week we interview Prescott Reavis, one of the co-founders of the SFNOMA Project Pipeline Architecture Summer Camp. Designed for students in grades 6th-8th, the camp teaches minority youth about environmental and community based design while developing STEAM skills through the discipline of architecture. As one of the few national initiatives in the nation connecting youth and architecture, the program helps K-12 students gain an understanding of the essential elements of architecture. Working alongside mentors, students work both individually and collaboratively to address community-focused issues through creativity and design innovation with a real project site. 

Project Pipeline Summer Camp is only possible through the continued support of members and friends. Please consider donating towards their annual summer camp through SFNOMA.

To learn about other local camps across the country visit: Project Pipeline – National Organization of Minority Architects – NOMA.

Guest:

Prescott Reavis, NOMA, NCARB, LEED AP, SEED is an Oakland-based Spatial Activist, architect, planner, and award-winning educator who has merged over 20+ years of experiences in architecture, planning, and education to develop and construct inclusive communities internationally with a focus on equitable design and planning justice. He is the Founder and Director of Kulima, a community design, planning, and teaching practice, empowering everyday citizens of all ages to use their collective knowledge and voices to shape the physical environment to their visions by engaging them in their spaces for nonprofits, small business, community based and governmental organizations. Prescott is also an experienced youth educator with 15 years of practice from elementary school through university students on architecture, planning, culture, and sustainability. 

Read more about Prescott and his work at Kulima.

Show Links:

📍 KULIMA

📍 SFNOMA Project Pipeline

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