Breaking Ground: Top BIPOC Architects of the Mid-Century Modern Era
Mid-century modernism reshaped the built environment with its clean lines, open spaces, and honest materials—but behind many of its most iconic structures were architects whose stories went untold. In an era dominated by white, male figures, a handful of brilliant BIPOC architects broke barriers, contributed to landmark designs, and helped redefine modern architecture.
Here are some of the most influential BIPOC architects of the mid-century era whose work and legacy deserve greater recognition:
1. Paul Revere Williams (1894–1980)
The "Architect to the Stars"—and far more
Paul R. Williams was the first licensed Black architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Based in Los Angeles, he designed over 2,000 buildings, including homes for celebrities like Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra, and Cary Grant. But he also contributed to civic and commercial projects, including parts of LAX and the iconic Theme Building.
Williams mastered traditional, modern, and futuristic styles. His ability to design for both opulence and accessibility—while facing the realities of segregation—makes his legacy not just remarkable, but revolutionary.
2. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926–2012)
Trailblazer, leader, and quiet powerhouse
Norma Merrick Sklarek was the first Black woman licensed as an architect in both New York and California—and the first to become a fellow of the AIA. While she rose to prominence slightly after the height of the MCM era, her career began in the 1950s, a time of immense discrimination.
She helped lead major international projects, including the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. Working often in the background at large firms, Sklarek shaped iconic buildings while opening doors for countless future architects of color.
3. Minoru Yamasaki (1912–1986)
Elegance, empathy, and the World Trade Center
One of the most prominent Japanese American architects of the 20th century, Minoru Yamasaki is best known for designing the original World Trade Center towers in New York. A key figure in postwar modernism, his work reflected a desire to soften the often-harsh forms of modern architecture with humanism and serenity.
He also designed several iconic mid-century projects, including the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport terminal and the Pacific Science Center. As a Japanese American building a career in post-WWII America, his success was both improbable and historic.
4. Raymond V. Estep (1920–1987)
Indigenous vision in modern form
A lesser-known but important figure, Raymond Estep was a Native American architect of Cherokee descent who contributed to government, educational, and housing projects during the mid-century period. While documentation of his work is limited, his efforts helped shape inclusive public architecture, and he advocated for design that respected Indigenous heritage within modern frameworks.
His story reflects the erasure many Native professionals faced, and his legacy is gaining more recognition in architectural histories that center BIPOC voices.
5. I.M. Pei (1917–2019)
Global visionary with modernist roots
Though Pei achieved global fame later in his career, his early work in the 1950s and '60s—such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research (1967)—firmly situates him in the mid-century canon. Born in China and educated at MIT and Harvard, Pei brought a sculptural refinement to modernist architecture.
Pei’s work often blended strict modernist geometry with cultural references and site sensitivity, a contrast to the austere International Style that dominated much of mid-century design.
Final Thoughts
While mid-century modernism is often presented through a narrow lens, its full story includes the contributions of brilliant BIPOC architects who challenged exclusion, built lasting legacies, and left behind architecture that still moves us. Their work reminds us that great design comes not just from formal innovation, but from resilience, vision, and lived experience.