McAfee3 Architecture + Design

02/02/2026

Celebrating Black History Month at The Kansas African American Museum (TKAAM), where Charyl will be a 2026 Featured Honoree for her trailblazing work in the field of architecture.

Exploration Place and The Kansas African American Museum have partnered for the fifth year to honor African American leaders in STEM fields during Black History Month.

11/13/2025

Thank you to AIA Kansas for sharing Black Enterprise’s powerful feature on 9 Black Modernist Architects and the Landmarks They Designed. We’re honored to see Charles F. McAfee, FAIA, NOMAC, recognized among this distinguished group of trailblazers.

The article highlights his iconic McAfee Pool and Pool House in Wichita — a modernist community landmark that embodies his lifelong commitment to dignity, access, and design excellence in Black neighborhoods. Seeing his work uplifted alongside legendary black architects helps ensure these stories are preserved, celebrated, and understood as vital chapters in American architectural history.

We’re grateful for the recognition and for shining a light on the lasting impact of Black architects whose contributions continue to shape our communities.

9 Black Modernist Architects And The Landmarks They Designed! Including work by Kansas architect Charles McAfee with McAfee3 Architecture + Design https://www.newsbreak.com/black-enterprise-512642/4344355378300-9-black-modernist-architects-and-the-landmarks-they-designed

09/18/2025

The Charles F. McAfee Pool is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Designed in 1969 by Charles F. McAfee, FAIA, NOMAC, the pool was the first in Kansas built so African American children could practice lap swimming. With support from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, the City advanced a preservation plan and the National Register nomination recognizing the site’s innovative modern design and enduring cultural impact. A community celebration is planned for next summer (2026).

🎥 Hear Mr. McAfee reflect on his work and legacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfniGT1g3FE

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/10/2025

Shoutout to Charyl F. McAfee-Duncan, FAIA, NOMA, for over 30 years of excellence at McAfee3 Architecture + Design!

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Charyl's incredible legacy as a trailblazing architect, leader, and mentor. As one of the first Black women to become a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) and a licensed architect in Texas, she has spent decades shaping communities, pioneering major projects, and opening doors for future generations. Her impact goes far beyond design—she’s an advocate, an innovator, and an inspiration to us all.

Join us in honoring Charyl’s dedication and groundbreaking contributions!


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03/08/2025

Celebrating the McAfee Sisters on International Women's Day: The Dynamic Duo Behind McAfee3!

This , we honor Cheryl L. McAfee and Charyl F. McAfee-Duncan, two trailblazing sisters shaping the future of architecture! As two of the very few Black women Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), they have broken barriers, built legacies, and transformed skylines.

🌟 Get to Know the McAfee Sisters 🌟

🏛 Architectural Royalty – As daughters of legendary architect Charles F. McAfee, they were raised in a world of design and innovation, carrying forward a family legacy of excellence.

✈️ Impact You Can See – Their firms, McAfee3 Architects and McAfee3 Architecture + Design, have designed major projects such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, transit systems, stadiums, and civic spaces nationwide.

🏆 Leaders in the Field - Cheryl was the first Black woman to serve as National President of NOMA, and Charyl is a respected leader in education, transportation, and public infrastructure with award-winning designs.

🎓 Committed to Mentorship – Passionate about increasing diversity in architecture, they work to inspire and mentor the next generation of women and minority architects. Volunteering their time to speak with students and organizations like Girl Scouts to inspire young minds to get involved in architecture and STEM.

🎖 Award-Winning Excellence – Both sisters are FAIA honorees, and Cheryl received the Bernard B. Rothschild FAIA Award, one of Georgia’s highest architectural honors.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate their brilliance, resilience, and groundbreaking contributions to architecture. Their work isn’t just about buildings—it’s about creating spaces for communities to thrive.

Drop a question in the comments if you're inspired by their journey and want to learn more about the McAfee sisters!

02/27/2025

02/26/2025

At McAfee3 Architecture + Design, we are proud to honor the legacy of our founder, Charles F. McAfee, FAIA, NOMAC, whose visionary work in modular housing has made an indelible mark on architecture and Black history. As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re diving into the story behind our innovative modular housing journey.

Volks Homes & The First Manufacturing Plant -
In the 1960s, McAfee launched the Volks Homes Prototype, the first of it's kind, revolutionizing the modular housing industry with a pioneering manufacturing plant that brought affordable, high-quality homes to communities in need.

Early Advocacy for Affordable Housing -
Charles F. McAfee championed affordable housing from the start, creating architectural solutions that provided accessible, safe, and dignified homes for Black families and underserved communities.

Innovative Design -
In 1966, McAfee introduced a “convertible” modular housing design—flexible layouts that adapted to diverse urban settings, proving that affordability and aesthetic excellence can go hand-in-hand.

Efficient Construction Timelines -
His modular approach slashed construction times, delivering homes faster while maintaining rigorous quality standards—an impactful step in addressing housing shortages.

Establishment of McAfee Manufacturing Company -
To support this modular vision, McAfee founded McAfee Manufacturing Company, Inc., creating jobs and offering vocational training in trades like welding, drywall, and electrical installation, empowering the local workforce.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore more of Charles F. McAfee’s enduring contributions to modular housing and how his legacy continues today through modular housing and McAfee3 Architecture + Design!

02/04/2025

For 50 years, the McKnight Art Center and Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art has stood as bold symbols of innovation, artistry, and architectural excellence. Designed by Charles F. McAfee in 1974 this project transformed Wichita State University, overcoming site challenges with ingenuity and purpose. McAfee‘s vision not only shaped the campus skyline, but also created a dynamic space for creativity and learning.

This Black History Month, we honor our Founder, Charles F. McAfee, FAIA, NOMAC, a pioneering architect, whose work continues to inspire.

01/17/2025

Today and every day, we are inspired by the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to stand strong in the face of challenges and build a more just world. "The true measure of a man" lies in his commitment to positive change. Happy MLK Day weekend from all of us at McAfee3 Architects!

12/18/2024

🎉 Congratulations to the recipients of the Charyl F. McAfee-Duncan ARE Support Scholarship! 🎉

We’re proud to announce the winners of the Charyl F. McAfee-Duncan ARE Support Scholarship, a program created by DFW NOMA to support Black, Hispanic, and LatinX candidates on their journey to becoming licensed architects.

This scholarship, named after Charyl F. McAfee-Duncan, President of McAfee3 Architecture and Design and leader of our Dallas office, aims to help aspiring architects cover the cost of their exams and study materials, directly contributing to the National and AIA Large Firm Roundtable 2030 Diversity Challenge to double the number of licensed Black architects by 2030.

With this scholarship, the recipients will receive financial assistance to cover the cost of three exams and a six-month subscription to ArchiPrep, through a partnership with AIA Fort Worth. 🏛️💡

We are incredibly proud of their achievements and excited for the next steps in their architectural careers. Keep reaching for the stars! 🌟

Let’s continue to build a more diverse and inclusive future in architecture! 🙌

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