NOMA Hosts 31 Project Pipeline 2023 Summer Camps Nationwide, Introducing Nearly 1,000 Students to Careers in Architecture and Design

Since the first camp in 2006, thousands of BIPOC students have learned about the built environment from architects who “look like me”

By NOMA

NOMA completed its 17th summer of Project Pipeline Summer Camps this year, with chapters hosted 31 camps across the United States, educating nearly 1,000 youth on the role of architecture and design. The camps, which began in 2006 as a way to cultivate a pathway leading to more licensed Black architects, recognize the role mentorship plays and the importance of early exposure to inspire students from a young age to consider architecture and design as viable career options. Cities participating ranged from New Orleans to San Diego, with the largest camps held in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Central Texas. This year’s list of city participants are available on NOMA.net. 

“Project Pipeline Summer Camps are one of the most impactful mentorship programs NOMA provides,” says Richie Hands, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, NOMA National Chair of Project Pipeline. “We have prior campers that return as college student volunteers who are now enrolled in architecture programs. This is the program living its mission and an indication of success.”  

Project Pipeline Summer Camps began in 2006 when the Southwest Ohio NOMA chapter organized the first camp in Cincinnati. Today, nearly 30 cities have hosted hundreds of summer camps, introducing more than 20,000 young people to the career possibilities in architecture and design. In 2012, under the leadership of NOMA President-Elect 2025-2026 Bryan C. Lee Jr. and many others, a formal curriculum was established to guide host chapters across the country, followed by a digital version of the curriculum during the pandemic to enable Project Pipeline Virtual Summer Camps. The curriculum acquaints students with fundamental architecture and design concepts, encompassing topics such as comprehending the dynamics of cities and neighborhoods, honing sketching skills, gaining familiarity with basic design software, and exploring resources at their disposal to support their ongoing journey in the field of architecture and design. 

“We want young students to attend, engage and be inspired to enter into this field with the understanding that there are BIPOC professionals leading in architecture and design,” says Bryan Bradshaw, KOR, NOMA, NOMA National Co-Chair of Project Pipeline.  “Choosing a career in architecture becomes more tangible when you see yourself represented, and the talent and passion the NOMA members and camp volunteers who oversee each camp exude is inspiring.”  

In addition to the annual Project Pipeline Summer Camps hosted by NOMA chapters, NOMA is introducing a Project Pipeline Summer Camp digital curriculum available to any student regardless of geography.  The content will explore similar topics and offer an introduction to architecture and design led by Richie Hands and Bryan Bradshaw. The availability of the digital curriculum aims to further reduce barriers and provide greater accessibility to interested students.  

“Learnings captured from the years of successful in-person camps and changes implemented during the pandemic proved we could extend the opportunity to young people who may live in an area without a camp,” says Bradshaw. “The digital curriculum was the next evolution to the summer camp offerings, aiming to reach any student interested in architecture.”  

Partnerships

In order to provide this robust and successful early education curriculum to architecture, NOMA partners with both local and national organizations. Since 2017, General Motors has supported the mission of Project Pipeline Summer Camps nationwide, providing a variety of resources. 

“We are extremely grateful for the support and contributions provided by our partners, particularly General Motors,” says Tiffany Brown, MBA, NOMA, Assoc. AIA, NOMA Executive Director.  “Working alongside partners who believe in building a pipeline of diversified talent to address the lack of equal representation in our field is important, and I’m proud of the work we’re doing together to change the face of the industry.”
To financially support NOMA Project Pipeline Summer Camps, please click here. For more information on NOMA, visit www.noma.net/nff.