Design Mind: Harvey Gantt

“Successful people have a strong sense of their own selfworth, and that sense of self-esteem is the foundation on which they reach out and move forward.” ~ Harvey Gantt

Harvey Gantt was born in Charleston, SC in 1943 and has been described by his peers as a Trailblazer. He is a well-respected Architect, Politician, Philanthropist and Community Leader. He first gained national attention during the 1960’s when he became the first African-American to be admitted to Clemson University. He went on to graduate with honors with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and holds a master’s degree in urban planning from MIT. In 1983, he was elected as the first African-American mayor of the City of Charlotte. Today, Gantt manages Gantt Huberman Associates, an architecture, urban planning, and interior design firm based in Charlotte, NC. In 2009, the City of Charlotte opened it’s doors to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture. The Center celebrates contributions made by Africans and African-Americans in art, music, dance, theatre, film and community outreach.

Harvey B. Gnatt Center for African-American Arts and Culture

 

Harvey Gantt is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National, Organization of Minority Architects. In 1987, the American Institute of Architects paid due recognition to Gantt by making him a Fellow in the Institute. He serves on the North Carolina Board of Architecture and the AIA National Minority Services Committee. He’s been a member of accreditation committees at Howard University and Southern University School of Architecture and lecturered at several colleges and universities nationwide, including Hampton, Yale, Cornell, UNC-Chapel Hill, Michigan, MIT, Mississippi State, Tuskegee, A&T, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech. Havey Gantt has distinguished himself as a designer of structures and a builder of communities. In 2006, Gantt Huberman Associates was awarded “North Carolina Firm of The Year” by the  North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Gantt Huberman Associates Projects

Imaginon, Children's Museum in Charlotte

Imaginon

Aycock Auditorium Renovation - Photo courtesy of Tom Kessler

Read Full Post »

Design Mind: Didier Gomez

Didier Gomez began his career as an opera singer before branching out into interior design and product design during the mid-80’s. He’s a critically acclaimed designer whose high-profle clients include: Yves Saint-Laurent, Pierre Bergé, Carrousel du Louvre, LVMH, Bernard Arnault, Céline, Louis Vuitton, Galeries Lafayette, Vivendi Universal, Kenzo, Christian Dior, Pomelato, De Beers and L’Oréal. Gomez currently designs furniture for Cinna, Ligne Roset and Artelano.

            “To replace the human being at the centre, in a modernity which shall only be miscegenation.”

 

Gomez has roots in Andalusia and his work is influenced by African culture and Baroque style. Here are pictures of his 50’s inspired home in Rio. You can see the African influence in the artwork and use of natural materials in his designs. I need to know who did these paintings?  They are adorable.

Photo Courtesy of Architectural Digest

Photo Courtesy of Architectural Digest

Furniture pieces Gomez created for the France furniture company, Ligne Roset.

Corto Armchair - Linge Roset

Dessau Chair - Ligne Roset

 

Read Full Post »