January 22, 2021
by: Tiara Hughes, NOMA

Dina A. Griffin, FAIA, NOMA, IIDA, NCARB

Dina A. Griffin, FAIA, NOMA, IIDA, became president of Interactive Design Architects (IDEA) in 1999. Under her leadership, along with partners Charles Young and Robert Larsen, IDEA has successfully completed a multitude of projects for a variety of clients. Dina has been instrumental in bolstering the firm’s commitment to collaboration and the opportunity to create, learn and interact with other thought leaders in the profession. The firm has partnered with internationally renowned firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, HOK and Renzo Piano Building Workshop. In 2016, IDEA was awarded The African American Cultural Center project at Dina’s alma mater, the University of Illinois. That same year, IDEA was selected to join the team of Tod Williams|Billie Tsien Architects to design the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

Dina’s belief that change is inspired through leadership has motivated her active involvement both within and outside the profession. In addition to past leadership and board positions with the National Organization of Minority Architects and the American Institute of Architects, Dina currently serves on the Illinois Architect Licensing Board as Chair; treasurer for Region 4 of National Council for Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the International Interior Design Association; and the Advisory Board for Contract Magazine.

Reaching aspiring students is fundamental to Dina’s mission to encourage and guide minorities interested in building valuable careers in architecture. She is a sought after speaker, regularly presenting to schools and universities as well as to organizations including the AIA, NOMA, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, Dina was the recipient of the IIDA Star Award, a Women in Design Honoree and was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in recognition of her service to the profession, and to society, through her dedicated outreach to minority architecture students and emerging professionals.

Tiara Hughes: How did you first become interested in architecture?

Dina Griffin: Relative to one’s career in architecture and others I know who were pre-teen or younger when they discovered they wanted to be an architect; I was not. It was much later for me. I was in high school at Kenwood Academy here in Chicago. At that time, the curriculum required us to take either industrial education or home economics. I unknowingly thought home economics was limited to baking and cooking; there was no way I was taking this course. I have no interest in baking or cooking and I still do not to this day. Ultimately, my decision was industrial education. I remember thinking, I will break a nail. I will get dirty. I will do carpentry, welding, and auto shop, anything but home economics. However, that year, they decided to teach architectural drafting. Though a small sample, that was my first view into the profession; that and watching Mike Brady on the Brady Bunch. That’s when I realized this is what I want to do, become an architect.

All of this prompted me to choose architecture as my major in college. The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign was where I ended up as a transfer student because I made my decision late. I started off at Western Illinois University where a professor of engineering basically told me that I had no chance of transferring to the University of Illinois, no chance to major in architecture and no chance to become an architect. Of course, that fueled me. In this environment, I was the only person of color and the only woman. I proved him wrong.

TH: When did you first learn about NOMA? Either tell us about your first encounter and/or how you have been involved over the years.

DG: During my college years, I did not know NOMA existed. I remember as an undergraduate, the students in the graduate program may have mentioned NOMA to me, but I still was not involved at all as a student.
However later, I remember my early NOMA meetings, during which I met Bryan Hudson, Ameera and Errol O’Neil, the late Alan Madison and Ken Casey, to name a few, all influential on my path to architecture, all instrumental in revealing the value of NOMA. I believe I was licensed when I went to my first meeting. That is how late in my career I encountered NOMA. Shortly after, I became president of I-NOMA for two years. It was an honor for me. Serving as president was one of the best experiences as I was exposed to the mission of NOMA.

TH: How has NOMA impacted your professional trajectory?

DG: NOMA is the reason I am where I am today in the profession. While I was speaking as president of one of our INOMA meetings, I met the former president of Interactive Design. Following that meeting, he promised he would call me, even though I was happy where I was. Long story short, he invited me to come interview, and I was hired. Little did I know, I was being groomed to be president of the company in the near future.

I cannot speak about my professional trajectory without mentioning mentorship. This is something that played a huge part in my life after I became involved with NOMA. The lack of mentors prior to my involvement helped me realize it is our responsibility to help mentor others. Mentoring is this big letter ‘M’ that comes in this huge package. Once unpacked, it has to do with paving the way for others, but you can also be a mentor to peers. You can be a mentor to someone who has gone through something before you. What I like about mentoring is the constantly giving. I am proud to say that through the I-NOMA Mentorship Program, I am a mentor to such fabulous people as Tiara Hughes, Kim Johnson and Moid Ali. Mentoring is something that can be done formally or informally, and what I love about NOMA is that mentoring is threaded through whatever programs are happening. It is all about helping people enter the profession of architecture, be prepared for the profession of architecture, and succeed in the profession of architecture.

TH: Can you share some of your most meaningful architectural work?

DG: We have been fortunate enough to have some ‘pinch me’ moments, as far as projects are concerned. The Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago with Renzo Piano, the Obama Presidential Center and of course the University of Illinois African American Cultural Center, to name a few.
For the Cultural Center, to have designed a building on the very campus that I earned my architectural education is the epitome of a ‘pinch me’ moment. When I received the congratulatory call that we won the project, I turned away from the phone and said, “Somebody pinch me” as I teared up. Then, fast forward to the project kickoff meeting, the same guy was in that meeting and said, “we chose Dina for multiple reasons, but the passion for this project is here. For example, when I told her, they got the project, she asked somebody to pinch her.” I was like, “you heard that?” He said, “Yes and it really matters to us that you care so much about this project.” How could I not with this project? After all, this is where I received my architecture education. To think, this all started because I did not want to take home economics in high school.

TH: Do you recommend people become a member of NOMA, and if so, why?

DG: Of course, especially at the student level. NOMA is camaraderie. NOMA is having the resource. What I love about NOMA as an organization is its support of its chapters, especially at the student level. Empowering the students is just such a great mission of NOMA. The increase in exposure is important in all of this. I am Chair of the licensing board for the State of Illinois, and there is nothing like attending an Annual Business meeting of NCARB and hear leadership mention NOMA as a collateral organization, alongside AIA. This is a testament to where NOMA is and where NOMA’s trajectory is headed; there is no stopping this and I am very proud to see this happen.

TH: What advice do you have for our NOMAS membership, as they begin their young careers?

DG: When I was a student, the experience was not smooth sailing for me. To be honest, I struggled and could have used a NOMAS chapter. However, one thing I did do was speak up. I told my professor, Art Kaha, of the challenges I was facing. My struggle included wanting to quit the major. He said, “okay, Dina I tell you what; instead of quitting right now, give it to the end of this semester. And if, by the end of the semester you do not feel that you have made any improvements to stay in this program, then by all means you transfer out.” He continued, “Right now, let us focus on your weaknesses, and you focus on your strengths.” Obviously, I stayed in the profession and became an architect. I share that story so that I can express how important it is to speak up, advocate for yourself, and ask for help if needed.
I recommend sharing your experience, because more than likely someone else has experienced the same thing and can help you navigate through. Participate in a professional mentor/mentee relationship; NOMA has made that more accessible.

TH: Dina, I believe I can speak for all of NOMA, when I say we are super excited to have you as the first feature for NOMA Voices. This new platform will emphasize the value of NOMA, and assist our members, partners, supporters and sponsors understand the value of NOMA. As a result, we are searching across the country to highlight members like yourself that integral to NOMA’s continued success. This organization would not be what it is today without members like you!

DG: Well, thank you for this! I know one thing, I would not be where I am without NOMA, so it is truly an honor to be the first voice for this feature. I am happy to contribute in any way I can because I’ve said this before – I owe my career to NOMA.