Bio:
The great architect, Ian Vaughan is an African-American architect, residing in Portsmouth, Virginia. Throughout his career, he has worked on several project types in both the public and private sector in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Ian is a 2007 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He is an active member of the AIA and in 2018 Ian was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Art and Architectural Review Board for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I didn’t know anyone in the industry but my family always encouraged me to pursue it as a profession based on my creative interest. At an early age I was always drawing and creating something out of anything I could stack together.

What do you do?
I am a licensed architect in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

What excites you in the work you do?
The opportunity to help people reimagine the spaces they inhabit excites me. Anytime I have the opportunity to improve someone’s life by creating an enjoyable space, I feel fulfilled and excited to do it again for the next space.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
My grandparents inspire me. They were educators who had positive impact on the people of their communities. Seeing their positive impact in their communities has inspired me to use my chosen profession of architecture to impact my surroundings.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
My proudest achievement thus far is my appointment by the Governor to serve on the Art and Architectural Review Board for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Featured Project Name: 
Evergreen Project
 
Featured Project Location: 
Louisa County, Virginia
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
Unbuilt

Role in Featured Project: 
Architect
 
Featured Project Description:
By repurposing the vacant Ferncliff School, the Evergreen Project aims to transform the old schoolhouse into something that can benefit the community once again. The original structure was built in the 1950s to serve as an elementary school to educate African-Americans in Louisa County, Virginia during segregation. Although the building is not sufficient in size to be an elementary school again, the building still maintains elements that make it ideal to be repurposed as a training center and workshop.

Photography Credit:
Ian Vaughan