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Q&A With Darrel Williams

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Darrel Williams
Partner, Neighboring Concepts
Location: Charlotte, NC United States
Joined: Jan 1st, 2009

About (request update)

DARREL J. WILLIAMS, FAIA, is a founding partner of Neighboring Concepts, a multidisciplinary design firm that was established in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1996. Under his leadership, the firm has successfully improved the quality of life in urban communities through thoughtful urban planning, innovative architectural design, and responsible real-estate development projects.

Williams is motivated by a desire to influence positive change and driven to help sustain and revitalize urban communities. For him, “transforming communities through architecture” is not simply a firm tagline, it is a calling. An accomplished and award-winning architect, in 2006 he was elevated to the College of Fellows for the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects (less than 4% of the profession) who have made significant contributions to architecture and society on a national level.

His firm, Neighboring Concepts has been involved in the design of several award winning projects, including CATS Lynx Blue Line Light Rail Stations, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture, Student Parking Decks for CPCC and Revolution Park Sports Academy, Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation first facility designed to LEED standards. The firm most recent projects include serving on the Design and Construction Management team selected to upfit Time Warner Arena and Bank of America Stadium for the 2012 DNC and Mosaic Village, a multi-million dollar mixed use project to include student apartments, retail and a 400 car parking structure for Johnson C. Smith University. This project, led by the Griffin family and Dr. Carter of JCSU was recently completed and is sure to be a catalyst to help transform the West Trade Street / Beatties Ford Road Corridor.

From 1994 to 2002, Williams was elected to four terms as a County Commissioner in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Among his accomplishments is encouraging his colleagues on the County Commission to include a 220 million-dollar Land Purchase Bond on the ballot in 1999; the successful passing of the bonds has allowed Mecklenburg County to acquire land for public facilities such as schools; libraries, parks, greenways and open space; this included land for CPCC to expand its Central Campus and land for the County to develop Little Sugar Creek Greenway.

Williams is a leader in the smart growth and sustainability movement and has chaired several national committees for the National Association of Counties (NACO) (i.e. smart growth, housing, community/economic development, etc.). As an architect and former elected official, Williams has proven successful in bridging the gap between the physical and social challenges facing urban communities.

Williams is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIA North Carolina, and AIA Charlotte, where he is a past president. He is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) and is licensed to practice in several states, including NC, SC, GA, VA, LA and AL. Williams currently serves on the boards of several civic organizations, including, Central Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees; Partners for Parks, The Committee to Preserve and Restore Third Ward; North Carolina Nature Conservancy, Charlotte Regional Partnership and as a member of the Knight Foundation Advisory Committee. Williams also co-chaired Crossroads Charlotte to help build trust among a growing and diverse population in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and is past chair of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library Board of Trustees.

Williams, a recipient of numerous awards, both professionally and for outstanding community service grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Southern University. He is married to District Court Judge Karen Eady-Williams and has four sons.

My Interview Question

Where did you grow up?

Website:

http://www.neighboringconcepts.com

Education (request update)

Southern University and A&M College class of 1979

Undergrad Major: Architecture

Claim To Fame:

Darrel's firm, Neighboring Concepts recently received an Urban Design Award from the American Institute of Architects, Charlotte Section for the design of Mosaic Village, a $20M mixed use project for Johnson C. Smith University. The project includes housing for 300 students, a 400 car parking structure and several retail spaces. The firm was also involved with the design of all the vertical structures for the recently completely Romare Bearden Urban Park in Uptown Charlotte. The firm was also recently selected by URS as architects for all the vertical transit facilities for Triangle Transit Authority's Durham/Orange Lightrail Project.