Bio:
The great architect, Steven Lewis is an architect and a tireless advocate for social justice and diversity within the field of architecture. He is the AIA 2016 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award recipient, and was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in December of 2015. More than anything, Steven is a facilitator of partnerships and alliances between groups and individuals who seek to use architecture and design to effect positive change to our world.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
My father was an architect who started his own firm in 1970.

What do you do?
I am currently an urban design principal with the Portland-based firm, ZGF Architects, LLP, in their Los Angeles office

What excites you in the work you do?
Demonstrating the value of diversity through striving for excellence, and advocating on behalf of underrepresented groups within the profession

Who or what inspires you professionally?
I’ve been inspired by my friend and former boss, Maurice Cox, who serves as the director of Detroit’s Planning & Development Department, where I recently served as the urban design director for central Detroit.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
Receiving the AIA’s Whitney M. Young, Jr. service award, and elevation to the College of Fellows in 2016 

Object:

Object Three - Led the Institute, or a related organization

 

Year of Elevation: 

2016

Featured Project Name: 
Youth Achievement Center

Featured Project Location: 
Seattle, Washington

Featured Project Completion Date: 
Unbuilt

Role in Featured Project: 
Lead

Featured Project Description:
The Youth Achievement Center is more than just a community center. It’s a place in our neighborhood to call home. YAC will offer more than 45,000 square feet of housing and services to more than 100 young people—designed for and by youth. Seattle's growth should be centered on the success of our young people. Help us answer the call of creating a space where our youth can be successful, healthy, whole, happy and safe.

Photography Credit:
ZGF Architects
 

Featured Project Name: 
Who Will Tell the Story
 
Featured Project Location: 
National
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
Ongoing

Role in Featured Project: 
Author
 
Featured Project Description:
Who Will Tell the Story is a catalog of the work of contemporary Black architects that was created in 2005 and continues as a living presentation, with periodic updates as new work emerges.

Photography Credit:
All images were donated by participating firms for the unrestricted use by NOMA