Norma Merrick Sklarek
“Architecture should be working on improving the environment of people in their homes, in their places of work, and their places of recreation. It should be functional and pleasant, not just in the image of the ego of the architect.
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DESCRIPTION OF WORK
In 1954, Sklarek became the first licensed African-American woman architect in the state of New York, and in 1962, she became the first licensed African-American woman architect in California. Sklarek began working at SOM in 1955, and in 1960, she took a position with Gruen Associates in Los Angeles, where she described receiving tremendous scrutiny as the only black woman in the firm. Despite experiencing racialized discrimination within the office, Skalarek became a director of project management. In 1985, she became the first African-American woman to co-own a design practice, founding Siegel Sklarek Diamond alongside Margot Siegel and Katherine Diamond.
In 1954, Sklarek became the first licensed African-American woman architect in the state of New York, and in 1962, she became the first licensed African-American woman architect in California. Sklarek began working at SOM in 1955, and in 1960, she took a position with Gruen Associates in Los Angeles, where she described receiving tremendous scrutiny as the only black woman in the firm. Despite experiencing racialized discrimination within the office, Skalarek became a director of project management. In 1985, she became the first African-American woman to co-own a design practice, founding Siegel Sklarek Diamond alongside Margot Siegel and Katherine Diamond.
BORN
1926
1926
DESCENT
Trinidadian American
DISCIPLINE
Corporate Architecture