Project Pipeline

Mission 

Our mission is to empower young people to affect change in their community through design. Using the city as the classroom and connecting young people to real-world architects and planners, we foster the next generation of design professionals, civic leaders, and changemakers.  We advocate for increased inclusiveness, diversity, fellowship, equity, and excellence in design. 

History 

Project Pipeline was born at the 2002 NOMA conference in Fort Lauderdale. Then-president Paul Taylor asked Drake Dillard and David Kirk to research and establish a plan for the camp that would introduce minority students with a focus on black students to architecture with the ultimate goal of creating more licensed black architects.  The first camp was held in 2006 in Cincinnati by the South West Ohio NOMA chapter. Since then dozens have camps have been held in more than twenty cities. In 2012 a formalized curriculum was implemented nationally. 

How We Do It / Our Impact

Pipeline Screen Zoom2

We guide students through all stages of design using provoking and fun exercises. Students investigate through drawing and model building, analyze through diagramming and research, and engage through interviews and site visits. By the program’s conclusion, students present a fully realized project that addresses an issue in their city.  Project Pipeline serves a diverse population of students, all of whom are underrepresented in the design field. Our program better prepares students for college and life beyond. Through Project Pipeline, young people grasp the significance of architecture in their daily lives, as well as the broader cultural, social, and historical implications. They develop skills and tools to contribute to their community critically and constructively. Project Pipeline has served more than 10,000 students over the last decade. 

Summer Camps 

NOMA’s local summer camps provide 6th-12th grade students of color with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of architecture and design. Students that participate in the camps work closely with architects and designers to create the designs they would like to see in their communities. Not only do students create designs, but they are also connected with mentors in the architecture field to help guide their interests. For many students, Project Pipeline is their first introduction to the design world. 

Camp/Chapter NameCamp Coordinator E-mailCamp WebsiteCamp CityDates
BMORE NOMAnomabaltimore@gmail.comhttps://www.bmorenoma.org/events-1/bmore-noma-2025-project-pipelineBaltimore, MDAugust 2nd -August 3rd
BosNOMA Project Pipelineprojectpipeline@bosnoma.orghttps://www.bosnoma.org/project-pipelineBoston, MAAugust 2nd -August 3rd
DC NOMAdistrictnoma@gmail.comhttps://www.districtnoma.org/project-pipelineWashington D.C.August 12 – August 16
DFW NOMAprojectpipeline@dfwnoma.orghttps://dfwnoma.org/project-pipeline/Arlington,July 25 – 27
HNOMA Project Pipelineinfo@houstonnoma.orghttps://houstonnoma.org/meetinginfo.php?id=142&ts=1750431019Houston, TXJuly 18- July 19
I-NOMAprojectpipeline@i-noma.orghttps://www.i-noma.org/project-pipeline-summer-campChicago, ILJuly 30th- August 3
NOMA Detroitinfo@nomadetroit.orghttps://www.nomadetroit.org/project-pipelineKalamazoo, MIJuly 23 – July 25
NOMA Detroitinfo@nomadetroit.orgDetroit, MIJuly 21 – July 25
NCNOMAncprojectpipeline@gmail.comhttps://www.ncnoma.net/project-pipelineRaleigh, NCJuly 15- July 19
NCNOMAncprojectpipeline@gmail.comhttps://www.ncnoma.net/project-pipelineCharlotte, NCJuly 22- July 26
NOMA Louisianaprojectpipeline@nomala.orgwww.nomalaprojectpipeline.orgNew Orleans, LAJuly 25 – July 27
NOMA Louisianaprojectpipeline@nomala.orgwww.nomalaprojectpipeline.orgBaton Rouge, LAJuly 12- July 13
NOMA NWprojectpipeline@nomanw.orghttps://www.nomanw.org/projectpipeline2025Seattle, WAJuly 15 -19
NOMA of Central Texasprojectpipeline@nomacentraltx.orghttps://www.nomacentraltx.org/project-pipeline-1Austin, TXJuly 11– July 12
NOMA of Central Texasprojectpipeline@nomacentraltx.orghttps://www.nomacentraltx.org/project-pipeline-1San Antonio, TXJuly 11– July 12
NOMA of Central Texasprojectpipeline@nomacentraltx.orghttps://www.nomacentraltx.org/project-pipeline-1Rio Grande ValleyJuly 11– July 12
NOMA Utahnomautah@gmail.comhttps://www.nomautah.org/project-pipelineSalt Lake City, UTJune 11– July 12
NOMAarizonaContact on Websitehttps://nomaarizona.org/event/project-pipeline-summer-camp/St. Michaels, AZ
NOMAarizonahttps://nomaarizona.org/event/project-pipeline-summer-camp/Phoenix, AZ
NOMAColumbusprojectpipeline@nomacolumbus.orghttps://www.nomacolumbus.org/design-summer-campColumbus, OH
NOMAKC Project Pipelineprojectpipeline.nomakc@gmail.comwww.nomakc.com/projectpipelineKansas City, KSJuly 25-July 26
NOMAnashnoma.nashville@gmail.comhttps://www.nomanash.com/projectpipelineNashville, TNJuly 17-July19
NOMAPDXProjectPipelinePDX@gmail.comhttps://www.nomapdx.org/summer-campPortland, ORJune 26 – June 28
NOMAPittsburghContact on Websitehttps://nomapittsburgh.org/973-2/PittsburghJuly 31 – August 2
NOMAtlantaPROJECTPIPELINE@nomaatlanta.orghttps://nomaatlanta.org/event-list/project-pipeline-program-2/Atlanta, GAJune 12- June 14
NOMAtlantaPROJECTPIPELINE@nomaatlanta.orghttps://nomaatlanta.org/event-list/project-pipeline-program-2/Atlanta, GAJune 26-June 28
NOMAtlantaPROJECTPIPELINE@nomaatlanta.orghttps://nomaatlanta.org/event-list/project-pipeline-program-2/Macon, GA7/12/2025
North Florida NOMAhttps://www.noflonoma.org/project-pipelineJacksonville, FLSign ups coming soon.
Orlando NOMAnomaorl407@gmail.comOrlando, FL
PhilaNOMAphilanoma.camp@gmail.comhttps://www.philanoma.org/events/project-pipeline-july-19Philadelphia, PA19-Jul
SC NOMAscnoma.projectpipeline@gmail.comhttps://www.scnoma.net/project-pipelineClemsonJuly 10 – July 12
SFNOMAcamp@sfnoma.nethttps://www.sfnoma.org/project-pipelineOaklan, CAJune 17 – June 22
SFNOMAcamp@sfnoma.nethttps://www.sfnoma.org/project-pipelineSan Francisco, CAJuly 11- July 13
SoCal NOMA Summer Campdirector@socalnomacamp.orghttps://socalnoma.org/summer-camp/San Jose, CAAugust 8 – August 11
South Florida NOMAnomasouthflorida@gmail.comhttps://www.soflonoma.org/project-pipelineSouth FloridaJuly 10-July 13
STL NOMAstlouisnoma@gmail.comhttps://www.stlnoma.com/project-pipelineSt. Louis, MS
VANOMAinfo.vanoma@gmail.comhttps://www.vanoma.org/project-pipelineChester, VAJuly 14-July 14
Wisco NOMAContact on Websitehttps://www.wisconoma.com/project-pipelineMilwaukee, WIJuy 10-july 13
Wisco NOMAMadison, WIJune 26- June 29

Gm Outlined Onecolor Brandmark Blue Rgb 2021

Special thanks to General Motors
for its continuous, gratuitous
support of Project Pipeline!