Black Professional (Licensed)

- Name: 

Jerel McCants

- City: 

Born in Chattanooga, TN. Now live and have office in Tampa, FL

- College & Practice (if already practicing):

Tennessee State University, B.S. Architectural Engineering. University of South Florida,

Masters of Architecture

- Favorite Architect(s)?

Tadao Ando,

Jean Nouvel

- Favorite Building(s)?

Church of the light in Ibaraki, Osaka.

The Honpukuji Temple (Water Temple).

- How would you describe being a Black Architecture student/Black Architect in the profession? 

From birth, I always knew I wanted to design structures and create interesting spaces. Being an Architect is an honor regardless of cultural/ racial background. Having a legacy that you can trace back through your family is more interesting to me but knowing that the world’s greatest architects created the pyramids in Egypt and Nubia and I marvel at the ancient structures around the World that have stood for thousands of years from Cambodia to the Americas is also special to me personally.

Being a black architect, there are those typical obstacles experienced by black architects when meeting with those persons that have not encountered a black architect. Usually after they understand that I have a firm knowledge and experience base then there is not a problem. A bigger challenge is getting on Municipalities Vendor list because city/ county staff don’t want to take the risk of having minority firms provide professional services due to maintaining their own job security or pledging their allegiance to older more established firms.

- How important is diversity to the profession?  

The last time I checked the statistics on licensed black architects, it was around 2% nationwide (February 2017, NOMA). That is nowhere where it should be and it is obvious that the predominant architectural organizations are doing little to increase this number. The focus is always off of the black architect and on other sectors of the population that are underrepresented. I feel we other a greater knowledge base to inject into projects other than traditional trains of thought when I comes to crafting an interesting façade or form of a building. This knowledge base is cultural distinctive and broad, encompassing a World view of Architecture than just what’s popular or trending in Architectural Record and other U.S. publications that feature designs from almost exclusively White Americans.

- Are you licensed? Yes, I become licensed in 2008.

If NO, Why do you wish to be licensed? 

If YES, What advantages do you have? I was able to open my own firm in 2010 and have thus become licensed in other states through reciprocity due to clients interest in working with my firm outside of the State of Florida. It has offered many advantages and set oneself as a creditable source.

- What is your design philosphy?   

I believe that architecture is an action, a feeling that expresses new ideals displayed through exposed materials, showing their true nature in an efficient, honest and sustainable manner that will benefit the client and our environment. My core design values are focused on integrity, innovation, and insight.

- Tell us about one of your most significant project (Built, Unbuilt or Student work)?

My most personally significant project was my Master’s Thesis project: “Middle Passage Memorial Museum”. This was my dedication to those that did not make it during the transatlantic slave trade.

        My most significant professional project is designing my Alma Mater new Alumni Building on campus where I attended college at Tennessee State University, an HBCU.