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  • Architecture Legends and the Importance of Nathan Johnson (1925 - 2021)

    by Karen Burton

    Nathan Johnson has rockstar status with us. Saundra and I started our Noir Design Parti project in 2016 to research the history and chronicle the work of Black Architects in Detroit. Mr. Johnson was the last living of our then list of nine Trailblazers – the first generation of Black Architects licensed to practice in Michigan.

    His love for modern architecture came from his internal fight against colonial architecture's history of oppression of Black Americans in the South. He designed over 30 churches in the mid-century modern style across metro Detroit.

    Posted in architects, mid-century modern, modernist, Nathan Johnson

  • The impactful legacy of Detroit architect Nathan Johnson

    by Karen Burton
    Karen Burton and Saundra Little talk with April Baer, host of Stateside on Michigan Radio, about architect Nathan Johnson's lasting impact on Detroit and the architecture community.
    Posted in Detroit history, interviews, mid-century modern, Nathan Johnson, podcasts