JULIAN THOMAS OWENS
Pledge of Excellence, Inc.
SAY IT LOUD - Washington DC Exhibitor
Washington DC Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
I’m inspired by my NOMA Family. Pascale Sablan, Jason Pugh, Kim Dowdell, Tiffany Brown, and sooo many more. For six years now, I’ve been surrounded by a network of professionals who inspire me with something new everyday.
JULIAN THOMAS OWENS
Bio:
The Great designer, Julian Owens currently resides in Washington, D.C. and holds a position as an architectural designer at Jacobs Engineering in Arlington, VA. After earning two architectural degrees at Clemson University, he now finds it exciting to work in the firm’s collaborative environment, while also starting up his own business on the side. Pledge of Excellence, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that focuses on acknowledging and promoting the pre-existing excellence that lives in marginalized communities.
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 much about architecture at all prior to college, but I was drawn to the critical thinking process behind every project. And because of NOMA, I was inspired by the passion for effective change that so many designers have.
What do you do?
By day I’m an Architectural Designer at Jacobs. On the side, I am the Founder of Pledge of Excellence, Inc. which is the nonprofit responsible for producing the pro bon project being presented: The HUB.
What excites you in the work you do?
There’s a community behind every single architectural project. I look forward to making the best impact on those communities as much as I can.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
I’m inspired by my NOMA Family. Pascale Sablan, Jason Pugh, Kim Dowdell, Tiffany Brown, and sooo many more. For six years now, I’ve been surrounded by a network of professionals who inspire me with something new everyday.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
I was the first Black Valedictorian of my high school. It was so long ago, and I’ve definitely achieved some things since. But it was such a big deal to me that I can still say it’s my proudest achievement.
Featured Project Name:
The HUB
Featured Project Location:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Featured Project Completion Date:
October 2020 (Unbuilt)
Role in Featured Project:
Designer
Featured Project Description:
Located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, The HUB is a place for the African diaspora to gather, comfort, and sustain. The family in ownership of the land had a vision for the use of the property. Chinese development companies have come into the city and bought and developed a large portion of the property made available to them without keeping the local community in consideration. The family decided to develop a mixed-use, sustainable property that would become a hub for Black people globally.
