Charles Francis McAfee | |
---|---|
Born | Los Angeles, California, U.S. | December 25, 1932
Other names | Charles McAfee |
Alma mater | University of Nebraska–Lincoln |
Occupation(s) | Architect, building material manufacturer, activist |
Spouse | Gloria Myrth Winston [1] |
Children | 3, including Cheryl L. McAfee [1] |
Awards | Whitney Young Award (1999) |
Charles Francis McAfee, FAIA , NOMA (born December 25, 1932), [1] is an American architect, building material manufacturer, and housing activist. He was the founding president of Charles F. McAfee Architects, Engineers, and Planners firm (now McAfee3) which was headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. [2] McAfee has had a distinguished career, and has been considered one of the most important African-American architect in the United States for his social activism in designing affordable housing. [3] [4] He was a mentor to many of Black architects, including two of his own daughters. [5]
Charles Francis McAfee was born on December 25, 1932, in Los Angeles, California, to parents Willie Anna (née Brown) and Arthur James McAfee. [1] [3] He served with United States Army from 1953 to 1955, during the end of the Korean War and was sent to Germany. [5]
McAfee graduated with a B.Arch in 1958 from University of Nebraska–Lincoln. [1]
McAfee was one of the first black registered architects in the State of Kansas. [6] In 1963, McAfee began his own firm in Wichita, Kansas. [6] Through the years, Charles F. McAfee Architects, Engineers and Planners expanded and opened satellite offices in Dallas and Atlanta. [7]
McAfee was known for his modernist designs. [8] In 1966, his “convertible” design allowed for flexibility in creating spaces with limited or confined infill lot locations. [6] He tackled social inequalities with a focus on designing affordable housing and utilized a modular approach. [9]
In order to build the modular building components, Mc Afee opened a manufacturing plant in 1994 that hired and trained people from the community. [9] [10] McAfee Manufacturing Company, Inc. hired and trained workers from the Wichita area. [6] In 1999, the manufacturing plant was shut down after facing debt. [11]
In 1976, he served as president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), and is one of NOMA's 45 charter members. [6] He also served as president of the National Business League, and president of the Urban League of Wichita. [6]
In 1981, McAfee was elected to the Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA). [12]
In 2006, McAfee transitioned ownership of his firm to Cheryl Lynn McAfee Mitchell and Charyl Frena McAfee-Duncan, his daughters. [13] McAfee manages the firm's Atlanta office, and McAfee-Duncan directs the Dallas office. [6]
In 1999, McAfee received the prestigious Whitney Young Award from the American Institute of Architects [6] at the AIA National Convention and Expo in Dallas, Texas. [9] [14]
In 2020, the Wichita McAdams Park Pool was renamed the McAfee Pool in his honor. [15] Built in 1969, the pool is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [16]
In addition, McAfee received the Excellence in Architecture honor from Kansas AIA, and the Building Innovation for Homeownership award from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. [6]
In 1955, McAfee married his childhood friend and singer, Gloria Myrth Winston. [5] The couple had three daughters. Two of his daughters, Cheryl L. McAfee and Charyl Frena McAfee-Duncan, are also notable architects and serve in leadership positions at McAfee3 Architects in Atlanta. [17] [5] [18] [19]
His archived papers are located at the University of Kansas. [7]
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