In honor of Black History month, EQUITONE USA is spotlighting Clay Dorsey, owner of Dorsey Architects and Associates.
Dorsey leads a team of architects working on a variety of projects including many of social and cultural significance. The architectural practice is based out of Birmingham, Alabama. He has served as owner’s representative for the City of Birmingham Mayor’s office and is a member of several professional affiliations including American Institute of Architects, National Council of Architectural Registration Board, and National Organization of Minority Architects and also was a member of the International Associate of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
Dorsey is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a Bachelor and a Masters of Architecture from the School of Architecture and Engineering.
EQUITONE has had the pleasure of being included in one of Dorsey Architects and Associates projects, the Peace and Justice Memorial Center Gift Shop and Auditorium, which used [tectiva] in the shade TE00. Read more about this project at this link.
We reached out to Mr. Dorsey, and he graciously answered all of our questions.
Can you give a little background information on yourself and your practice?
My journey to becoming a licensed architect began at Birmingham’s Ensley High School. I continued my post-secondary education at Tuskegee University, then worked in architectural firms in Florida and Washington D.C. before returning to Birmingham to start my architectural firm, Dorsey Architects Inc. My firm provides architectural design services for commercial, aviation, educational, religious, and industrial clients throughout the United States. Our technical expertise and experience ranges from master planning, single family housing and multi-family high rises, as well as high end institutional and corporate facilities. Our services include: Programming and Project Planning, Master Planning, Architectural Design and Engineering services, Interior Design and Construction Administration. Over the last two decades, Dorsey Architects Inc. has designed a number of buildings for churches, public school systems, aviation authorities, municipalities, restaurants and universities.
Why are you interested in architecture? What inspired you to be an architect?
While at Ensley High as a 16-year-old, I participated in the Excellence program, which encouraged students to explore various careers. I wrote a research paper on architecture and was later assigned an internship with George Hunter Jr., one of the few prominent Black architects practicing in Birmingham at that time. I was fascinated to see a conceptual sketch of a building on paper, then seeing the building become reality. I had an interest in how things were put together, especially buildings. Also, I had a few relatives in the construction industry, which prompted my interest in pursuing to become an architect.
Who are your favorite architects?
Robert R. Taylor, Paul R. Williams, Curtis Moody, Frank Gehry, William J. Stanley III, Ivenue Love-Stanley, Melvin Mitchell and Wallace Rayfield.
What project have you worked on that you are most proud of?
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Carrie A. Tuggle K-5 Elementary School, Aircraft rescue and firefighting station for Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport, Peace and Justice Memorial Center Gift Shop and Auditorium in Montgomery.
How can we in the building industry encourage diversity in architecture?
We can by creating a more equitable world through advocacy, leadership, and education to help (disenfranchised Black Americans, all people of color and women) minorities to overcome being under-represented in the industry.
What do your family and friends think you do as an architect compared to what you really do?
They assume that I just design and draw plans and colored renderings of buildings. Not realizing that an architect has a team of consultants to support the design intent of the architect. The consultants consist of but not limited to geotechnical engineering, civil engineering , landscape, structural engineering , mechanical/plumbing engineering, fire protection and electrical engineering. Also, in addition the architect assists the owner with the budget by providing preliminary construction cost estimates, provide bidding and negotiations services, and providing construction administration throughout the duration of construction.
What legacy do you hope your career leaves?
Essentially, creating spaces and designing buildings in cities and communities that are inclusive and inspiring for everyone which will perhaps encourage the next generation of minority architects.
More information about Clay Dorsey and Dorsey Architects and Associates can be found on the website https://dorseyarchitects.com/.