A middle school-aged Michael Robinson came across an article in an issue of his aunt’s subscription to Black Enterprise magazine about Black architectural firms, and one of the firms mentioned was the same one that designed the library at the historically Black college where his aunt was a student. Later, on a road trip to Atlanta from their home in Fort Valley, Ga., he and his parents stopped for lunch near a Hyatt hotel.
“I marveled at the rotating restaurant that was perched atop the hotel. My father shared that the hotel was designed by an architect named John Portman. After doing some research following this visit, I discovered that architects could design buildings not only for human habitation and other general uses, but for innovative structures like those designed and built by Portman,” he says.
Those two things nudged him along a path to study and pursue a career in architecture. For 25 years, he and his wife, Carolyn, have run Robi4 Architecture & Planning Inc., which they founded together in 1999 in Memphis, Tenn. The couple met in college at Tennessee State University, where they both earned bachelor’s degrees in architectural engineering. In 2014, they moved to San Diego so he could attend the NewSchool of Architecture & Design, where he earned a master’s degree. He’s since served on the board of directors for several local organizations, including the Balboa Park Committee, the Balboa Park Committee of 100, the alumni advisory board at the NewSchool, the San Diego alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and as president of the San Diego chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects.
Robinson, 60, lives in Mission Valley with Carolyn, and they have two children, Matthew and Maya. He’s the principal architect at his firm, and holds certifications from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and is a member of the American Institute of Architects. He took some time to talk about his work and his perspective on good design and relationships.
Q: What led you from an interest in the subject of architecture to studying it and pursuing it professionally?
A: Based upon my proficiency in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) classes, I reasoned that architecture would be a good career choice for me to pursue. When the time came for me to attend college, I knew that I would study architecture. I have maintained architecture as a career choice and have practiced professionally for many years.
Q: Why was this something you wanted to spend your life doing?
A: I’ve always found different aspects of architecture fascinating, such as its combination of art and science, or the way high-rise buildings appear to defy gravity. The discipline has also always naturally been a part of my life. For instance, my family has always made it our business to center modern and historic architecture during family vacations, through building and site tours.
Q: How would you describe your approach to architecture and design, generally? What are you looking to achieve in your projects?
A: Our main focus is to understand our client’s vision and goals for their project and to make their vision and goals a reality. The satisfaction of our client’s design intent and the realization of their vision and goals is our desired achievement.
What I love about Mission Valley…
Mission Valley is centrally located and is in close proximity to downtown, the airport, and all points near, far, and in-between!
Q: Your website says that your mission and design philosophy are “preserving the past and building the future through enduring designs and relationships.” What has that looked like in practice for you? Can you tell us about a project where you’ve been able to accomplish this?
A: As a firm, we have chosen to not do widespread print media advertising. In our practice, we seek only to develop lasting relationships and to deliver excellent work. This has been our mantra throughout the years. A majority of our commissions are received through word-of-mouth recommendations from previous clients. In a nutshell, we build upon past relationships and delivered work to develop future relationships and opportunities to deliver new work, including repeat commissions from previous clients. One project that comes to mind is the Skyline Homes project in San Diego that we are currently working on with a previous client.
Q: What are some architectural design differences you’ve noticed between Memphis and San Diego?
A: There are many differences that come to mind between Memphis and San Diego, in particular when it comes to exterior finishes. In Memphis, the use of brick as an exterior façade choice is prevalent, whereas here, in San Diego, stucco and concrete are staples for exterior façade decoration. I can go on, but the element of a building that is immediately viewed is a strong indicator of design nuance differences.
Q: What are some ways that elements of San Diego inform your approach to the way you’ve designed local projects here? Are there things about the landscape, the climate, the culture that influence the way you think about how to design projects?
A: The diversity of cultures that populate the area must be considered; in addition, the environment and neighborhood context in which the work will be placed must always find expression in our work. San Diego’s climate, in my opinion, is similar to a “desert Mediterranean” feel. So, the use of elements that a dry and temperate climate are useful here. Thus, the presence of stucco, wood, and expansive glass always seem to find prominence in our work.
Q: You currently serve as president of the San Diego chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects, and you’ve also taken on highlighting the work of Black architects on your firm’s website, including the work of L. Quincy Jackson. First, can you talk about your experience as minority architect in the field? What have you had to overcome? How has your perspective as a Black architect been helpful to you?
A: I cannot discount that challenges do exist for African Americans and other minorities who pursue careers in this field. A November 1994 article by John Morris Dixon, in Progressive Architecture, questioned the practice of architecture as a “A White Gentlemen’s Profession?” However, I feel that it is a divine calling on my life for me to pursue and practice architecture as a profession, so that future practitioners may have a model to look to as a realistic example of someone who chose to pursue architecture as a career choice.
The great obstacle that I overcame was becoming ed as a licensed architect. Many licensed architects would agree that becoming ed as an architect is a worthy and momentous achievement. I choose to think of myself as a licensed architect who is African American. I am deeply rooted in the southern African American tradition and I am mindful of those who practiced the profession before me, namely Julian Francis Abele, Paul Revere Williams, Norma Merrick Sklarek and Dr. Sharon Egretta Sutton, to name a few.
Q: Can you tell us a little about L. Quincy Jackson and why it’s important to you to document and share a more diverse and inclusive history in this way?
A: During, my time as a student at Tennessee State University, I had the honor and privilege of working for and getting to know Mr. Jackson in his office. He not only taught me about architecture, but he also shared many aspects of his personal life with me that were not common knowledge. For instance, during his time as a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma, the chair of the school of architecture was Bruce Alonzo Goff, a student and protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. He also shared that one of his students, Robert L. Wesley, was the first African American to become a partner of Skidmore, Owens & Merrill in Chicago. He shared many life truths and stories with me and my wife, Carolyn, during our time at the university and after our graduation from the university. He was a great mentor of ours throughout the years, until his death.
Q: What inspires you in your work today?
A: I believe that all people deserve the opportunity to benefit from good, quality architectural design. I think that notion is inspiring.
Q: Where do you like to go (in San Diego or somewhere else in California) to ire the architecture there? And why?
A: San Diego has some excellent examples of quality design, including the work of Irving Gill. We love to travel to Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well. In Los Angeles we can tour projects by many architects including the work Paul Revere Williams and Norma Merrick Sklarek. San Francisco provides an opportunity for us to view the designs of numerous architects of note.
Q: What’s been challenging about your work?
A: The challenge is to acquire new opportunities to design large-scale projects. Those projects are usually allocated to larger firms with more staff. We look forward, hopefully, to collaborations with larger firms to pursue future project opportunities on greater scales.
Q: What’s been rewarding about this work?
A: The response from our clients when their vision and goals are realized has been the most exhilarating feeling and reward.
Q: What has this work taught you about yourself?
A: This work has taught me that I have the spirit to persevere, no matter the obstacle.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: To “always know your worth,” the last advice my father shared with me before he ed.
Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?
A: Despite my height (6 feet, 2 inches tall), I am not a basketball player.
Q: Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.
A: Eating a great meal and seeing a great movie; listening to a wonderful live jazz performance; and relaxing at home with family and friends.
