Philip Freelon, FAIA awarded 2009 AIA Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture
Lew Myers
919-941-9790
01/27/2009
Research Triangle Park, NC – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has named Philip G. Freelon, FAIA, LEED AP of The Freelon Group as a recipient of the 2009 Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture. The Jefferson Award recognizes excellence in the planning and design of architecturally distinguished public buildings. It will be presented April 30 at the 2009 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in San Francisco.
“Phil’s work contributes measurably to the economic and community development objectives of his clients,” stated J. Max Bond Jr., FAIA, a partner and founder of New York City-based architects Davis Brody Bond Aedas. “He is an advocate for greater diversity in the design profession, and sets an example for young people with his work and personal integrity.” Mr. Bond, a longtime colleague, nominated Mr. Freelon for the Jefferson Award. The two are working together on the Pre-Design Study for the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, to be built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. by the Smithsonian Institution.
“This is a cherished honor for me, and a true reflection of the design work produced by the team of incredibly talented professionals I have the privilege of working with every day,” Freelon said. “The Jefferson Award is particularly appreciated by all of us at The Freelon Group because it is peer recognition of our public realm portfolio.”
Projects reviewed by the Jefferson Award Jury included the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco, the BRITE Center on the campus of North Carolina Central University, the Durham County Library North Branch, the Raleigh Durham International Airport parking deck, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture in Baltimore, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts & Culture in Charlotte, NC, the Anacostia Branch Public Library in Washington, DC and the Durham Station Multimodal Transportation Center in Durham, NC.
A native of Philadelphia, Mr. Freelon’s earned a Master of Architecture degree from MIT, where he is currently a visiting Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning. He earned a Bachelor in Environmental Design from North Carolina State University. In 1989, Freelon was the recipient of the Loeb Fellowship and spent a year of independent study at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He is a founding member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), North Carolina Chapter, and a recipient of several awards and honors including Contract Magazine’s 2008 Designer of the Year Award.
Founded in 1990, The Freelon Group is the recipient of 27 regional and chapter AIA design awards, and the firm’s work is regularly published in national publications and professional journals. The 60-person firm provides planning, architecture and interior design for higher education, government, cultural and science/technology clients throughout the U.S.