As a long-time friend of Curt Moody, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and her late husband, Otto Beatty, have supported Moody Nolan for more than 25 years. With mutual roots in Ohio, Curt and Joyce share a passion for championing an equitable future for communities of color.

Joyce is a native Ohioan with a strong history of connecting people, policy, and politics to make a difference in her state. Since 2013, Beatty has proudly represented Ohio’s Third Congressional District. In the 117th Congress, Beatty serves as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

At Moody Nolan, we recognize that one of the greatest impacts on our communities and our profession is to continue to expose and educate children and their parents alike to the architectural profession. Currently the profession lacks women and minority representation with approximately 22% of women and 26.5% of minorities are licensed architects. In an effort to increase these numbers and expose children to our profession at an early age, we take a variety of approaches to mentorship and internship opportunities. We feel representation matters and that it is important to visit schools in a variety of communities to reach students who sometimes may not be afforded these opportunities.

Each year, our offices across the country visit schools and invite students to the firm to learn about the variety of careers available within the architecture and design industry. On a collegiate level, our employees engage regularly with students, serving as award competition jurors, guest lecturers and adjunct professors. Moody Nolan prides itself in providing scholarships and a chance for students to have meaningful experiences through shadowing mentoring opportunities. The list of opportunities is nearly endless, as many participate in industry associations focused on bringing the next generation of architects into the fold and fostering their advancement.

Recently, Moody Nolan Project Architect Christian Joosse attended the Metro Early College Career Day to speak to students about a career in architecture. Students were given an inside look at the role of an architect, the technology used, and the different types of buildings we design.

Jill Seitz, LEED AP BD+C

Senior Associate | Senior Interior Designer

My entire professional life has been spent at Moody Nolan. I will celebrate 30 years here this month! I can confidently say that coming to work for Eileen Goodman fresh out of college was the best “on the job training” anyone could ever receive and Curt Moody was always passing through the studio to provide words of encouragement on whatever I was working on. The firm was small but very busy and Eileen was just establishing the Interiors Studio at that time, so I hit the ground running. Back then we did not have CAD (or computers) in the Interiors Studio, so I spent A LOT of time hand drafting (and re-drafting!) work-station layouts on “bumwad”. Once we started getting computers, we had to share them as there weren’t enough for everyone! Over the years I’ve been so proud to watch this firm grow and excel in every aspect and cannot imagine working anywhere else! Congratulations Moody Nolan on 40 years! Here’s to 40+ more!

Check out these pictures from my early days at MN (Holy hair-do!!)

Graham Wyatt is a Partner at Robert A.M. Stern Architects and a long-time friend of Moody Nolan. Moody Nolan has partnered with Robert A.M. Stern Architects on numerous projects which have led to a working relationship centered around collaboration and respect for each other’s company cultures. Graham’s support of Moody Nolan was instrumental in our firm receiving the 2021 American Institute of Architects Firm Award. Graham’s leadership and professionalism are unmatched, and he reflects the best of our profession.

We are so excited to be able to gift the entire fifth grade class at KIPP Columbus a copy of Kid Architect goes to Moody Nolan! The book served as a valuable resource to the students as they began their building and engineering focused unit. Moody Nolan has been involved in the design of this 125-acre state-of-the-art campus since Day 1.

Working in collaboration with developer, The Daimler Group, Moody Nolan designed the school in three phases including a 58,000 sq. ft. Primary School / Early Education facility, a 140,000 sq. ft. Elementary and Middle School, a 100,400 sq. ft. High School and a 6,400 sq. ft. Athletics and Wellness Complex. Currently, Moody Nolan is designing the new west campus Primary and Elementary schools which will open in 2023 and 2024.

The Kid Architect series is designed to support AIA's goal of creating the critical pipeline of young K-12 students who will become our future architects. We value our partnership with KIPP Columbus and are honored to inspire these young students to become future architects and engineers!

Cassandra Bukowski, RA | Senior Associate

Project Architect Cassie Bukowski reflects on her 12 years with the firm. She shares memories of her first project, the renovation of Beaver Stadium at Penn State University. Moody Nolan teamed with local Architect APArchitects for the 18.4 million improvements to the stadium which included the design of new egress stairs, elevators, escalators, main concourse expansion, concession spaces, storage facilities, ADA seating/access ramps and restrooms.

Since then, she has worked on numerous sports facilities across the country. Most notably, Wintrust Arena at DePaul University, The Ohio State University Covelli Center, and the Alabama A&M University Arena and Event Center!

Moody Nolan is a proud sponsor of AIA Iowa’s “Bee an Architect Activity & Coloring Book” project. The new "Bee an Architect Activity & Coloring Book" is FREE and highlights what an architect does and how to become an architect through the star of the book, Bee an Architect.

Young readers will enjoy exploring the day-to-day life of an architect with the help of the book’s main character, Bee an Architect. Throughout the book, Bee an Architect defines architecture and describes what an architect does by highlighting the important skills and interests they need to have through a variety of interactive puzzles, activities, and illustrations. The book teaches readers that being an architect is more than just designing buildings, it is about staying curious, being creative and improving the lives of people in their community. By completing the activities, kids can test out their strengths and interests and ignite a passion for architecture and design.

The "Bee an Architect Activity & Coloring Book" is geared towards preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school-aged children, parents and educators. In an effort to inspire the next generation, our sponsorship funded the printing of 7,500 books and 5,000 bookmarks for children, parents, and educators throughout the country.

To find out more about the book or to become a sponsor visit https://www.aiaiowa.org/page/FutureArchitects.

Chairman of The Daimler Group, a leading Columbus-based real estate developer. Bob has been a client, colleague, and friend to Moody Nolan for 35 years. The Daimler Group was the firm’s first private client and provided us the opportunity to design the new headquarters for the Ohio EPA building in the late 1980s. Today, like MN with Jonathan now serving as our CEO, his son Bob, Jr., has taken the reins and is leading the second generation of our work together.

Motivated by a desire to create more visibility around the nation’s homelessness and affordable housing crisis, Moody Nolan decided to create a unique housing initiative—The Legacy Project. Planned as an annual gift in 12 cities where Moody Nolan has an office, each Legacy House will provide under-resourced neighborhoods with architecturally modern houses, modeling a new approach to affordable housing.

The design intention of each home focuses on accessibility, equity, and sustainability. To ensure long-term economic viability, the footprint of each home is around 750 square-feet, allowing the team to maximize the quality and lifecycle of construction with commercial materials. The houses embody modern architecture in a small footprint, designed to reduce energy consumption and provide secure housing.

The footprint of the home is configured to fit three bedrooms, a difficult achievement for a compact home. The bedroom count and overall design appeals to a mass market— from single professionals to young families and retirees alike. The double-height ceiling and glass front in the living space gives the room an open and transparent feel in a small floor plate. The design is architecturally modern yet restrained, demonstrating that good design can be economical without extravagance.

Legacy House Nashville

Unique from its inception, The Legacy Project is 100% donor funded. Beyond providing secure housing to a family in need, The Legacy Project aims to bring together communities around a common cause. To continue our long-standing investment in the City of Nashville, Legacy House Nashville is in the Napier and Sudekum community.

Join us on July 20th for a live auction, food, and spirits! All proceeds benefit the Legacy House!

Kimberly Dowdell is a principal in the Chicago studio of HOK and a licensed architect, writer, and frequent speaker on architecture, diversity, sustainability, and the future of cities. Nearly 20 years ago she attended architecture school at Cornell University with Jonathan Moody, forming a life-long friendship. We have built mutual respect and support for one another’s success and share a unique passion for improving the communities we work in. Both Moody Nolan and Kim strive to be mentors to the next generation of architects and work to provide resources to underserved students interested in the AEC profession.

We are incredibly excited and proud of Kim for being elected as the AIA (American Institute of Architects) National 2023 First VP/2024 President-elect, making her the first Black woman AIA President, since 1857. We have no doubt her leadership will make a great impact on our industry!

In addition to this tremendous accomplishment, Kim is involved with numerous institutions and organizations in various capacities. She is frequently invited to advise on topics related to architecture, sustainability, education, diversity, equity, inclusion, and leadership. Like Jonathan, she is also an AIA Young Architect Award recipient. She also served as the 2019/2020 National President of NOMA (the National Organization of Minority Architects).

AIA, NCIDQ, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador; Associate Principal

Sara stepped outside of her comfort zone 14 years ago to join the firm and was quickly indoctrinated into the culture that defines Moody Nolan. Sara enjoys the teamwork and the exciting sports and recreation projects for which she has led.

When we look back over the past 40 years, we recognize that at the center of it all is a team. During the AIA Conference on Architecture in Chicago, our firm and team members were recognized during official award ceremonies and tributes.

As part of our 40th-anniversary celebration this year, we created a special website to highlight 40 moments that are special to us. This week, we visit our Houston office where our team got together to provide home repairs to deserving homeowners through Rebuilding Together Houston.

Whether you are in year one or year 40 like we are, one of the keys to a successful business is building and sustaining relationships. In this video, hear what Larry Mastella of Gilbane has to say about working with Moody Nolan over the past 25 years. A trusted partner and friend of the firm, Gilbane and Moody Nolan have completed over $700M of work together.

SENIOR ASSOCIATE | EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CEO & CHAIRMAN

If you’ve visited our Columbus headquarters, you’ve had the pleasure of being greeted by the fantastic Karen Gary! We call her Mother Hen because she takes care of everyone in the firm. We would be lost without her!

Karen joined the firm in 1994 after leaving a position in sales. What she thought would be a short-term job to take a break from her sales position turned into 27 years and counting as a receptionist and executive assistant at Moody Nolan! Listen as she shares what has kept her at Moody Nolan and why she is so passionate about the firm.

Christian Joosse and Alexus Underwood recently volunteered at the Hip Hop Architecture Camp and partnered with young students to create a unique vision for their community! The Camp positions Hip Hop culture as a catalyst to introduce underrepresented youth to architecture, urban planning, and design. Participants learn the basics of architecture and design as they generate 3D models, write a rap verse, and create a music video.

Our profession requires a constant process of learning, and at Moody Nolan we emphasize the importance of continuing education and mentoring emerging design professionals. This year, several Moody Nolan employees participated in the AIA Columbus mentorship initiative program known as “AIA Archway”. The program connects young architects with firm leaders in the Columbus architectural community. It is a comprehensive approach to mentorship that also focuses on developing leadership skills for emerging talent and seasoned professionals. The program structures multiple modes of active interaction such as group mentoring, reverse mentoring, and peer-mentoring, through thought provoking sessions.

This year’s program theme was “Overcoming Obstacles”. MN team members Jennifer Rittler (co-founder of the program) Susan Earp, and Kyle Glass worked to recruit members of the program and organize events for the mentors/mentees.

Moody Nolan Partners Julie Cook, Troy Sherrard, and Tim Fishking served as mentors throughout the year. As a mentor, they worked with their mentees to explore their path in the industry, strengthen their skillsets, establish resources, and build networking skills.

As the nation’s largest African American owned design firm, we understand the importance of collaborating with minority and female business enterprises. Moody Nolan is proud to be partnered with METICULOUS Design + Architecture on the Frederick Douglass Family Center in Indianapolis. Founding Partner of METICULOUS, Damon Hewlin, shares how Moody Nolan has served as a role model for him and his firm in celebration of our 40th anniversary!

METICULOUS was formed in 2007 as a collaborative practice of architecture, planning and construction management. Damon has over a decade of International design, construction, and management experience. He has had the opportunity to work in the United Arab Emirates market on cutting edge large scale and high-profile projects. As a registered United States Architect with over 20 years of experience, Damon is one of the principal’s leading design culture and managing the UAE office for Meticulous Design + Architecture.

As summer winds down, students in the Chicago area enjoyed one last summer camp before heading back to school! The Project Pipeline Camp hosted by the Illinois Chapter of National Organization of Minority Architects (@illnoma), provides 6th-8th grade students of color with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of architecture and design. Moody Nolan Associates Cordaroe Oscar (I-NOMA Treasurer) and Jennifer Johnson (I-NOMA Past President) were instrumental in organizing this year’s Project Pipeline and the firm sponsored the camp t-shirts!

“Watching the students interest increase over 5 days of the camp as we teach them design and architecture (something we all love) and watching the enthusiasm increase in kids that believed at the beginning of this camp that this wasn’t something they could do, grants such an amazing feeling in our hearts. The feeling is really understated as we are making sure we provide them the exposure many of us did not receive as Black and Brown children.” - Cordaroe Oscar

During the camp, students were able to learn the human scale in the built environment and apply this to their projects. Over the course of a few days, the students designed and built houses, community spaces amenities and skyscrapers - following their trip to the Sears (Willis) Tower!

About the Camp

The Project Pipeline Camp is a process driven architecture camp for students to work individually and collaboratively in order to address community-focused issues through creativity and design innovation. By the end of the camp, Pipeline students will have created the new building blocks of a better city, and designed a community that reflects their cultural, academic, and design interests! Not only do students create designs, but they are also connected with mentors in the architecture field to help guide their interests. For many students, Project Pipeline is their first introduction to the design world.

One organization we hold near and dear to our hearts is the American Heart Association. Throughout the year, the Moody Nolan Cares committee organizes efforts to raise money for the AHA. In the past, these efforts included employee breakfasts, raffles, wear red day, and the grand finale – The Central Ohio Heart Walk. Each year, Moody Nolan Columbus team members gather with their friends and families to walk for this important cause.

The day starts with our annual group photo in our Team MN t-shirts! Every year the firm holds a t-shirt design contest and this year Moody Nolan Interior Designer, Lisa Merkert, had the winning design! This year, we had a team of 50 walkers who raised $6,257.00, exceeding our fundraising goal by 25%.

Interested in donating to the cause? Click this link to learn more!

Nia Smith joined Moody Nolan a year ago after hearing about the firm’s Legacy House Project. Currently serving as a project administrator in Nashville, Nia’s passion for design, equity, and justice are evident the second you speak with her. When asked why Nia became interested in design she stated, “architecture provides me the ability to affect the most change”.

Nia shares her favorite things about Moody Nolan and more about her experience in her 40th Anniversary video!

As we continue to celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are thankful for great partners such as Mary Dempsey, president of DePaul College Prep High School in Chicago.

In designing for the needs of students today and the future, we bring all stakeholders to the table. Through a series of workshops with students, alumni, faculty, and staff, we’ve been able to help guide the re-envisioning of the DePaul College Prep campus and brand.

In this video, hear firsthand on what Mary has to say about working with Moody Nolan Chicago and our Experiential Design Studio (EDS) team out of Moody Nolan Columbus.

Marketing Manager | Moody Nolan Cleveland

Starting a new job comes with its own set of fears, and entering a new industry can even be more of a daunting task. In today’s 40th Anniversary spotlight, Marketing Manager Rachel Rauscher of Moody Nolan Cleveland shares her journey in finding her way.

I came to Moody Nolan in August 2011 after applying for a marketing/administration coordinator position from Craigslist. The first two people I met were Aaron Askew and Lester, who was the Director of the Cleveland office at that time. I had no prior experience or knowledge of working in the A/E/C industry. I remember my first office meeting and Lester was going over everyone’s projects and all I heard was SD, DD, CD, CA. I looked over at Wendy and asked her what he was talking about. It made no sense and it sounded like Lester was rattling off a bunch of letters. That was my first introduction into the industry, and during my time here, I have learned a lot and I have picked up the lingo that all architects speak.

I have grown from a marketing/admin coordinator to a marketing manager, and I have loved every step of the way. I love working with my marketing team and the Cleveland office. The Cleveland office is a family, and though it has changed over the years, we always have some sort of bond, and we always have fun! The marketing team has also changed over the years, but we are a strong team and I have made some friendships that will continue throughout life. I also have had a great mentor in Brent Wilcox, I am grateful for his knowledge and encouragement. Moody Nolan is a family, and I am very grateful to be a part of it!

The current NOMA record holds that there are less than 600 African American female architects who are licensed and currently practicing in the nation. After joining this small community, Christian Joosse recognized the need to increase this presence and become more intentional in mentoring the next generation. Christian is a graduate of the Kent State University College of Architecture and licensed architect in the State of Ohio. She has been a member of the Moody Nolan team for 6 years and has been active in the firms emerging professionals program.

Since 2020, approximately 25 females have joined our small community each year. If we maintain the current trajectory, we will reach Ms. 1000 in the year 2040. In writing these letters, Christian hopes to illustrate black female architects who have sculpted themselves from various walks of life. The overarching goal is to change the narrative and empower the future Ms. Architect for many generations to come with our words of wisdom and encouragement.

First500 is aiding in seeking stories to support these women and their access to the profession. Submitters must attest that they hold a valid license to practice architecture in the continental US, and that they are choosing to identify as a Black/African-American woman. The deadline is November 15, 2022.

If you or someone you know would like to submit a story, please click here: https://empowering1000.wixsite.com/letters-to-ms--1000.

Dr. Lesley-Ann Brown Henderson, Ph.D is the Assistant Vice President for Inclusion and Chief of Staff in Student Affairs at Northwestern University. Lesley-Ann oversees three units: Multicultural Student Affairs, Student Enrichment Services, and Social Justice Education. Lesley-Ann is also responsible for supporting students who are recipients of bias incidents; working with staff, faculty and students to engage in ongoing dialogue centered on social justice, respect, and inclusion; developing cultural competence training for students; and collaborating with various departments across campus. Additionally she coordinates Northwestern’s Posse Scholars Program.

Northwestern University has been a Moody Nolan client for nearly 6 years. Most recently, we completed the renovation of The Black House. The house has been a historical landmark on campus since 1914 and serves as a gathering place for black students on campus.

Stacie is an Associate Principal and has been with Moody Nolan for 9 years. She brings over 17 years of interior design, planning and programming experience to her projects. She has led award winning projects and played an integral role in collaborative project teams for a number of higher education, healthcare, corporate/commercial, mixed-use and hospitality projects in markets across the globe. Her projects have been featured in publications such as Interior Design magazine, Contract magazine and IIDA publications. Stacie believes in an integrated process in which we first listen, to gain an understanding of the client’s vision, goals and functional needs to exceed expectations through high performing, innovative design solutions. Stacie focuses her work on creative and innovative design, performance and material appropriateness, and meeting budget constraints.

An Ohio native, Stacie is a proud mom to two kids, ages 7 and 5. Stacie has a passion for good design, loves mid-century architecture, collecting design classics, gardening and working out when there's time!

Our Moody Nolan Atlanta team laced up their sneakers and walked for a great cause at this year’s Atlanta Heart Walk!

There were about 7,500 people in attendance to raise awareness about heart disease. Almost 647,000 people in the United States die from heart disease annually, making it one of the most significant causes of death in the U.S.

Enjoy these images sent to us from Moody Nolan Atlanta’s team lead, Courtney Harris.

Are you interested in donating to the cause? Click the link below!

https://bit.ly/3ECb9SD

Sarah Welch’s creativity, strong attention to detail, and desire to collaborate makes her an asset to our team and clients. As a Project Architect with 20 years of experience, Sarah has been with Moody Nolan since 2016.

Sarah reflects on one of her favorite MN memories – a late night with her coworkers putting the finishing touches on the Columbus Legacy House. Sarah was one of many who volunteered countless hours to making the Legacy House a warm and welcoming home for a family in need.

Planned as an annual gift in 12 cities where Moody Nolan has an office, each Legacy House will provide under-resourced neighborhoods with architecturally modern houses, modeling a new approach to affordable housing. We are looking forward to the ribbon cutting of the next Legacy House in Nashville, TN in early 2023.

Jay Hamel has been a member of the Turner Construction Houston team for 9 years and has established himself as a strong community advocate within the market through his involvement in the City of Houston’s mentorship program and leading Turner’s School of Construction Management.

Moody Nolan has worked with Jay on the completion of the Houston Independent School District Jack Yates High School and the Texas Southern Library Learning Center. “From the very beginning of our working relationship, Jay has been professional, friendly, and a collaborative problem solver. He has also shown himself to be a great advocate of Moody Nolan as a Design firm in the Houston Market.” – Wardell Ross, Director of Houston Operations.

About the Projects

Jack Yates High School - Moody Nolan designed this new 210,000 sq. ft. LEED Silver high school to educate students in four Career and Technical Education Areas. These include transportation: logistics/maritime, graphic design and production; arts: AV – production and arch/construction; and finally, health science. Each area of the school was designed for flexibility and to encourage students to think about real-world topics creatively and critically.

The second phase of this project included the development of a new standalone batting cage, practice baseball and softball fields, competition-ready tennis courts and a newly resurfaced track, with long jump and triple jump runways and pits. Moody Nolan reconditioned the existing practice football field to accommodate considerable site drainage and field surface care within the track boundary.

Texas Southern University Library Learning Center – This 137,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art learning center is focused on a modern design that evolves in bold new ways to meet the current and future needs of Texas Southern University’s students. TSU students, faculty, administration, and community members participated in robust engagement sessions that were imperative to the development and implementation of the new library learning center.

The entire building encompasses a café, classrooms, book stacks and computer labs, study areas, offices, meeting and board rooms as well as gallery space. Additionally, the building houses the TSU’s faculty senate, IT department, serves as an Honors College, and provides an alumni suite.

Howard Blaisdell is a 33-year veteran of the firm and has worked exclusively in the planning and design of recreation and sports facilities over the last 25 years. Howard is passionate about mentoring young architects at Moody Nolan which awarded him the 2020 AIA Ohio Mentor of the Year. His patient leadership in sharing knowledge and developing young staff has been a key element in the success of Moody Nolan as we grew from the 20 person-small firm when he joined us, to the 350 + strong firm we are today.

His Story

I started at Moody Nolan 33 years ago and have loved every step of the way. The culture truly feels like a family and shapes us to specialize in the markets we are most passionate about. I began at Moody Nolan after graduating from Washington University. I anticipated working here for 2 years before starting graduate school and loved it so much I never left. Over the years, my work has ranged from collegiate buildings, offices, medical centers, and for 25 years community and collegiate recreation centers and competitive fieldhouses.

In my early days, I worked on Dreese labs at The Ohio State University. Our initial design had some punched windows in the corridors. I asked Curt if I could make them deep window boxes so students could sit in the window. At a Christmas party, I asked a current OSU student about their favorite OSU building. They told me Dreese labs because of the deep window boxes where they studied every day.

Working on community recreation centers, I often hear from community members about how much they love particular design elements we’ve created. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Associate

This fall, Stacy Cunningham laced up her sneakers and walked with thousands nationwide to help the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) raise critical funds to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The walk was the 39th Anniversary Walk for Education in Columbus. As an HBCU graduate, Stacy makes it her responsibility to give back to organizations that gave so much to her and helped shape her life.

A graduate of Wilberforce University and Clark Atlanta University, Stacy supports peer institutions by donating to UNCF, walking, and purchasing merchandise from campus bookstores. To date, Stacy has visited more than 30 HBCUs nationwide. These steps are making an impact on the next generation of HBCU students. In 2019-2020, UNCF Columbus awarded $1.2 million in scholarships to Ohio students.

We had a lot of fun working with Bob Janis and the rest of the project team on Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL! Bob shares a special 40th anniversary message and reflects on the award-winning arena and event center completed in 2017. Wintrust Arena seats 10,387 fans for DePaul University basketball and the WNBA’s Chicago Sky.

Bob recently served as the Vice President for Facility Operations at DePaul University. He graduated with a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from the university's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences in 1986. Recently retired, Bob rose through the ranks and was promoted regularly during his time at DePaul University where he managed more than $850 million in campus improvement projects.

As Director of Texas Operations for Moody Nolan, Jay Ross wears a lot of hats in managing the ongoing projects and groundbreaking developments taking place in Houston and Dallas. He is one of Moody Nolan’s many boomerang employees, having first joined our Cincinnati office in 2002 then returning in 2013. In over thirteen years at Moody Nolan, Jay has been instrumental in the design and leadership efforts towards significant community projects across the country, including the Texas Southern University Library Learning Center and Atlanta Central Public Library.

Jay is dedicated towards design that positively impacts communities. His commitment to being a leader and mentor is evident in the many community organizations he is actively involved in, including NOMA and co-founder of the non-profit “Four this Cause,” an organization focused on ministry and mentorship. He does all this with a smile and positive attitude.

His Story

In 2002, I was growing discouraged with the idea of ever achieving my professional goals of becoming a licensed architect. My objective of obtaining licensure, participation in “meaningful” architecture, and making an impact in the A/E/C Industry seemed impossible.

Curt Moody and other leaders gave me a brief yet impactful council which can be summarized with this formula: “The Pursuit of Integrity + Leading with Grace + Growing in knowledge and wisdom = Opportunity for Impact.” Curt’s example of this formula in action brought me to Moody Nolan. I am here today because that has proven to be true. Rejoining the firm gave me the opportunity to work on a special and unique project that I may not have had otherwise.

The Texas Southern University Library Learning Center and the Atlanta Central Public Library were both significant to the communities they serve because of the possibilities and dreams they represent. Those projects allowed me to work with numerous colleagues throughout the firm. Moody Nolan is an intentionally diverse legacy of thought and people coming together to make something special. It has been a place that numerous people in the A/E/C industry desire to be a part of because we represent an example of what a diverse organization can be! I am humbled to understand the legacy established over the last 40 years, and I am honored to be a part of building toward the next 40!

Project Pipeline is an initiative through the National Organization of Minority Architects that exposes middle and high school students to design through a series of educational programs tailored to engage and support their interests. Many Moody Nolan team members volunteer at project pipeline through local NOMA chapters to help empower young people to effect change in their community through design.

Most recently, our Boston team members volunteered at the BosNOMA Project Pipeline camp. The three-day camp introduced 30 students to design as a tool for social justice as they explored the issues facing the city of Boston. Whitni Irving served as a mentor, helping students understand the vocabulary, and providing feedback and guidance on their designs. Through brainstorming, sketching, and model building, students explored concepts of city and neighborhood design and prepared final presentations for family and friends.

Prior to the camp, Jose Moreno and Courtney Prentiss worked as volunteers to prepare the supply boxes for the campers. The boxes included a Project Pipeline bag & T-shirt, graph paper, rulers, sketchbook, markers, colored pencils, scissors, clay, and other materials the campers used over the 3 days.

Rosemary’s Babies Company (RBC) is a non-profit organization based in Cincinnati to assist teenagers as they navigate parenthood. The organization was founded by its namesake Rosemary Oglesby-Henry who used her life experiences to help teen parents and their families by strengthening the community around them. RBC’s mission is to help teen parents master the concepts of self-leadership to leave a legacy.

Moody Nolan designed the renovations of the memorable Rupel House in North Avondale into temporary housing for homeless teenage mothers. As RBC has grown, the need for this multi-use facility has become more evident. In addition to housing, the space will include offices, a library, and a community garden. The property will be renamed The Holloway House and Resource Center and is scheduled for completion in 2023.

Zach has been with Moody Nolan for five years and was granted his licensure in late 2019. Zach credits Moody Nolan for giving him the experiences he needed to excel at the ARE testing process. He is a member of the firm’s General Architecture studio focusing on developer driven and real estate projects. He has worked as a project coordinator/architect on a variety of projects including corporate, healthcare and municipal facilities. Zach is a reliable and adaptable team member and enjoys collaborating with the client and project team throughout the design and construction process.

As we near the end of our yearlong 40th Anniversary celebration, we are proud to highlight our Dallas team’s volunteer efforts at Minnie’s Food Pantry. Minnie’s Food Pantry is a nonprofit organization that provides numerous programs that help families gain long-term food security. The team had a great day volunteering their time to make a difference in the community!

Thanks to our clients, partners and team members, this year has been filled with so many successful projects!

Whether recently completed or just had a groundbreaking, each project is a result of listening and understanding the needs of our clients. We call it responsive architecture. You call it your favorite new library, arena, sports and student recreation center, hotel, affordable housing project, healthcare facility or community resource center.