DENNIS C. NUMKENA
Numkena Associates Architects
SAY IT LOUD - ARIZONA Exhibitor
Arizona Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
As an intern to Bennie Gonzales, Mr. Numkena's architectural aesthetics were influenced by his mentor's work, using similar materials and a sculptural approach to the buildings he designed.
DENNIS C. NUMKENA
Bio:
Dennis Numkena (1941-2010) was born in Moenkopi Village, located south of Tuba City on the Hopi Reservation. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Arizona State University. Mr. Numkena is considered the first Native American to become a licensed architect in Arizona. He formed the first Native American-owned architecture firm in the United States, Numkena Associates Architects; dedicated to providing architectural services for the Indigenous Nations throughout the Southwest.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
Enlisted in the US Army and stationed New York, Mr. Numkena visited the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.The building inspired him to become an architect. “That was the first time I really got a look at structure,” he commented.
What do you do?
Architect
What excites you in the work you do?
N/A
Who or what inspires you professionally?
As an intern to Bennie Gonzales, Mr. Numkena's architectural aesthetics were influenced by his mentor's work, using similar materials and a sculptural approach to the buildings he designed.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
Mr. Numkena served on the Heard Museum Board of Trustees and the Design Review Panel for the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. His legacy is NOMAarizona where "Our Strength is Our Diversity
Featured Project Name:
Pyramid Lake & Paiute Tribal Museum,Yavapai-Apache Visitor Center,Anasazi Resort Condos, Montezuma Castle Tourism Center,
Featured Project Location:
Arizona, Nevada
Featured Project Completion Date:
N/A
Role in Featured Project:
Architect
Featured Project Description:
Mr. Numkena designed more than 25 projects for Southwest Nations, including museums, elementary schools, recreational, justice facilities, and housing. Regarding his designs he stated “What is notable is the use of drama, typically, in our buildings. Anything you see in Hopi (country) is somewhat rectilinear, [Concrete] allows me to sculpt. You can make it flow,and the massing of concrete gives it just a feeling of being very solid. I do not use color as a statement. I go with form itself."
