What is Project Pipeline?

Project Pipeline is a week-long camp hosted by the DC chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. Every year, we partner with the National Building Museum to design a curriculum that introduces middle school and high school students to the field of architecture and design. The camp integrates many forms of exposure including firm tours, showroom visits, presentations from working professionals, and hands-on exercises to get a holistic overview of the architecture profession.

Check out the NOMA national website for even more information.

HOW WE DO IT

We call on professionals in the architecture, design, and allied industries to volunteer their time and resources to design a curriculum filled with industry relevant material to educate students on the design phases of a project. The curriculum implements museum tours, showroom visits, architecture firm tours, and technology tutorials (virtual reality, artificial intelligence, etc.) to enlighten students on the vast resources available in the profession. These exercises expose students to real world issues and give them the tools to implement their own solution to a design problem in their own community.

OUR IMPACT

We serve a diverse population of students, all of whom are underrepresented in the design field. Project Pipeline gives students a better advantage for preparedness for college and working in the professional world. Many of our students are at top architecture programs across the nation, including Cornell, Howard, Yale, and Morgan State, and come back to volunteer to invest in future campers.

NOMA’S MISISON: DESIGN JUSTICE

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 fellowship, equity, and excellence in design.

DCNOMA’s Project Pipeline

Where it all began

Our first camp was hosted in 2013. A small but impactful team came together to pour into the students in the DC-Metro Area. Over the years, our camp has partnered with East of the River with Bernard Suber (Past President 2009-12) and is now hosted at the National Building Museum in the heart of Chinatown.
Our Expansive Curriculum

Our professional volunteers find creative ways to ignite students interest in the profession. Along with the NOMA National framework, our daily agendas can include a combination of the following activities to inspire students:
Museum Tours
Sketching Exercises
Virtual Reality/AI Tutorials
Design Thinking Workshops
Model Making Sessions
Firm Tours and Showroom Visits
Q&As with Professionals
Building Construction & Site Visits
Public Speaking and Presentation Skill Building
Growing Our Network and Community

Our students maintain relationships with their peers and volunteers as they apply for colleges, universities and scholarships when they are pursuing higher education. With their connection to NOMA, they already have established mentors when they start their journey at their schools and when they join the student chapter of NOMA (NOMAS).