Bio:
The great designer, Elgin Cleckley, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, is a designer, educator (UVa), and principal of _mpathic design - a Design Thinking pedagogy, initiative, and professional practice focusing on race and cultural design projects. A graduate of the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture (93’) and Princeton University (95’), he has collaborated with DLR Group (Seattle), MRSA Architects (Chicago), and Baird Sampson Neuert Architects (Toronto) on award-winning design projects.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I first learned about architecture as a pipeline student at the Corcoran School of Art, which led to my undergrad at UVa. Learning about architecture in the designed environment of UVa opened me to historical, racial and cultural landscapes.

What do you do?
I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, where I teach Design Thinking seminars, and studios. I also run a Design Thinking firm called _mpathic design, where I work with local and national clients.

What excites you in the work you do?
I enjoy bringing out the best in my students, and ensure an equitable, inclusive, and open learning environment with goals of developing individual design voices.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
I am inspired by my students, and colleagues such as Bryan Lee, Jr., Sue Mobley, Liz Ogbu, and Deanna Van Buren - all designing with spatial justice, equity, and social responsibility in their practices.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
My proudest achievement is teaching back where I learned architecture, where I can help the next generation of students, especially minority students, discover their potential.

Featured Project Name: 
Dr. Carter G. Woodson Birth Site
 
Featured Project Location: 
New Canton, Virginia
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
Unknown

Role in Featured Project: 
Educator and Project Coordinator
 
Featured Project Description:
A seminar of multidiscipinary students created design proposals for the Birth site of Carter G. Woodson in Buckingham County, Virginia. Woodson was an educator, author, and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History). Students primarily dedicated the semester to project research, programming, and schematic development directly with stakeholders.

Photography Credit:
Elgin Cleckley