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Black History Month

Black History Month:  5 Iconic Buildings in LA Designed by Black Architects.

In honor of Black History Month, we’ve highlighted some incredible buildings  in Los Angeles that were headed by black architects.


Douglas F. Dollarhide Community Center

Designed by Michael H. Anderson, RA.

This two-story structure in Compton, designed by BASE Architecture, serves the community with programs focused on senior citizens, activity spaces, a gym, and a media room. The center is named after Compton’s first black mayor, who was elected in 1969.

301 N Tamarind Ave, Compton, CA 90220


Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

Designed by Gabrielle Bullock, FAIA.

Pei Partnership served as the design architect for the structure, with Perkins + Will serving as the executive architect for the prominent hospital.

757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095


California African American Museum

Designed by Jack W. Haywood, AIA and Vincent J. Proby, AIA.

Beginning in 1981, the California African American Museum operated out of a section of what’s now the California Science Center. In 1984, while the Olympics were underway in LA, the museum’s permanent home opened.

600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037


The Pacific Design Center (Blue Building)

Designed by Norma M. Sklarek, FAIA.

Norma Sklarek, the first black woman to become a licensed architect in the U.S., was the director at Gruen Associates at the time when Cesar Pelli, then a partner at Gruen, designed the Pacific Design Center’s blue building, nicknamed the Blue Whale.

8687 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069


The Theme Building

Designed by Paul R. Williams, AIA.

The building is attributed to Pereira & Luckman, but Williams was part of the team that designed LAX’s striking Theme Building. The trailblazing architect made a name for himself designing homes for such clients as Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

209 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045

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