Bio:

The great architect,  Melvalean McLemore, AIA, is an Architect at Moody Nolan. She graduated from the University of Houston and has a broad range of architectural experience. She serves on AIA Houston’s Board of Directors, co-chaired the Texas Society of Architect’s Equity Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, and was a co-founder of WIA Houston. She’s proudly one of the first 500 licensed black women in the country. Outside of her role as an architect, Melvalean is a wife, mother, avid traveler, and foodie.

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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 in college. I had mistakenly entered the program due to an error on my college application, but I stayed because I was fascinated by the infinite nature of problem solving.

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What do you do?

I am an architect that uses my voice to advocate for others and spends time volunteering regularly for a variety of EDI focused causes.

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What excites you in the work you do?

Problem solving excites me the most. I enjoy listening to clients and collaborating with a team to arrive at a satisfactory solution.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

I’m inspired by the up-and-coming, next gen architects that demand more of, and expect more from, our profession in terms of EDI. I’m also inspired by minority leaders out there that make room for them and help pave the way towards their vision.

 

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

Co-creating the NOMA National HBCU Professional Development program. I was inspired to start the program after hearing Jonathan Moody talk about the need for firms to create more touchpoints with HBCUs to help improve the diversity pipeline.

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Featured Project Name: 

Third Space

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Featured Project Location: 

3rd Ward, Houston, Texas

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Featured Project Completion Date: 

Unbuilt

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Role in Featured Project: 

Designer

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Featured Project Description:

Featured in the City of Houston + NOMA’s Designing for Impact effort, Third Space focuses on the community’s desire to see a thriving and self-sustaining neighborhood. The project serves as a catalyst for development in the area. The Third Ward’s infamous rowhouses prototype is reimaged as mom-and-pop shops with retail space at the front and efficiency living quarters at the rear. Alongside the shops is an art gallery/ residency, and a series of rotating conceptual restaurants along the rear.

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Photography Credit:

N/A