Designing on our National Treasure: The National Museum of African American History and Culture Wednesday, May 17, 2017 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Kane Hall, UW Seattle Campus The College of Built Environments’ Equity Council welcomes Zena Howard, AIA of Perkins + Will and Senior Project Manager for the National Museum of African American History + Culture. Zena’s presentation will focus on how the design team behind the Smithsonian Institution’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture realized the owner’s vision for creating a distinctive new cultural experience on the National Mall. In designing many of the museum’s unique features, the team was inspired by familiar imagery and experiences from both African and American history. As Senior Project Manager for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, she was the point person for the Smithsonian Institution in executing multiple decades of planning to create this important national museum. Zena directed the Freelon Adjaye Bond/Smith Group team of four architecture firms and 29 consultants throughout pre-design, design, construction documentation, and fast-track construction. Zena is a Principal and Cultural Practice Co- leader with Perkins+Will. Her planning and design work is focused on museum and cultural institutions, libraries, civic buildings, and higher education facilities. Her projects typically involve specialized design goals such as environmental stewardship, LEED Certification, historically-significant building preservation, and community economic development. A native of North Carolina, Zena earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia. She currently serves on the North Carolina State University School of Architecture Advisory Board and the University of Virginia Alumni Association Board of Managers. Read more about Zena's career. |