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This is the first book about Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926–2012), the first Black woman to be licensed as an architect in New York and California—and a designer whose works included the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and facade systems for the Pacific Design Center and Union Carbide Building. Still too little recognized, Sklarek defied the notion of the genius architect and demonstrated the reality of how buildings come together: through constant collaboration. This groundbreaking collection features original photographs, essays, interviews, and oral histories, as well as biographical information, architectural documentation, and a chronology of Sklarek’s work.

Sklarek was a remarkable designer with a passion for large-scale projects, yet her impact on the field has remained mostly hidden, often revealed only in construction drawings and correspondence with clients and consultants. However, as an advocate, educator, and mentor, Sklarek provided a roadmap for women and people of color to obtain licensure, one that has influenced many designers practicing today.

Together, the books’ contributors reveal how Sklarek’s design excellence and tenacious work ethic allowed her to succeed despite racism and sexism in a field that has historically marginalized designers.

Distributed for the ¿ìÉ«Ö±²¥ University School of Architecture