Rachel J. Bascombe

28/02/2023

I’m excited to share Bloomberg’s article highlighting the renovation of the Paul R. Williams building, Pritzker Hall (formerly Franz Hall) I worked on and completed in 2020. I’m thankful they chose to elevate my voice and the importance of sharing the stories and success of Black architects. And with that…Happy Black History Month!

28/05/2021

Announcement 📣!

I am so proud to announce a special project that I have been working on with an amazing team. See my previous post for more info about the project.

❌What’s the project? Foot Soldiers Park located in Selma Alabama.


❌The vision: JoAnne Bland and her fellow foot soldiers, peaceful activists for social justice beginning in the 1960s and continuing today, have been advocating for decades to preserve and memorialize the location where the Bloody Sunday March began on March 7th 1965.
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❌ The mission: This project seeks to create a space that will instill pride and make connections to history for the young people who live in Selma, and facilitate understanding for those who visit Selma from around the world each year. That vision is now closer to reality as a diverse group of supporters from around the country are coming together to build this monument and this park.

❌How to get involved: in the video there are roles that need to be filled. Check out the website footsoldiers.org for more information.

I am so excited to share the progress of this project! Stay tuned for more. And Follow

01/05/2021

✨Happy May! I affirm this month will radiate positivity, generosity, and prosperity. Drop a yellow emoji in the comments. 💛⭐️🌻🌼🌙🐝🍌


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08/03/2021

Today, I launched my website! 🎉

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After being interviewed by a journalist at end of 2020 and being described as “the rare black woman working in the field” I realized that no one would better tell my story as a Black woman architect than me. Today I officially launched my own website because I have decided to start betting on myself. I want this website to not only provide visibility of a Black woman in architecture but also to share what fascinates me about architecture. If you are just as excited as I am follow me along for the journey. Link in bio.

What you should know:

🗣 Make sure you leave your email address on the website so you can stay up to date on what’s coming up! For example what’s next for the painting 🤐.

🗣 I designed the website on my own as well as the logo. I’m an artist that is ever evolving so expect this to grow with me.

🗣 I am constantly inspired by people and places I interact with...my hope is to continue to build a platform for Black stories.

🗣 Lastly, seriously ask yourself who will be the author of your story? I hope you choose you.

05/03/2021

It has been an honor to share my final painting with you all. It has brought me so much joy to read all of your comments and what you have learned from my BHM series.

In order to tell the complete story of my painting I wanted to share with you all just how impactful Paul Williams work was at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The staff at the Beverly Hills Hotel were gracious enough to give me a tour of the property and show me the iconic banana leaf motif that was part of the rebranding of the hotel.

What you must know 👇🏿:

📝 Paul R Williams designed the 1949 Crescent Wing, as well as reimagined the Polo Lounge, Fountain Coffee Shop and lobby in their still-stylish pink and green motif.

📝 Paul Williams hand-wrote the iconic script used for the Beverly Hills Hotel signage.

📝 The iconic banana leaf wallpaper was once hand painted on the walls of the hotel but in most areas has been replaced by a wallpaper that is not owned by the hotel but property of .

How did I do with my interpretation of the iconic wallpaper installed at the ? •
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@ Los Angeles, California

01/03/2021

Around 2008 I knew I wanted to be an architect. At the time the only Black architects I knew was a neighbor and a friend of my parents.

Around 2009~2010 I attend an awards ceremony for the ACE Mentor program, where I had the chance of hearing Honorary Deryl McKissack speak on the legacy of the McKissack family.

In 2011 I landed my first internship at Devrouax & Purnell Architects Planners. Marshall Purnell, FAIA welcomed me to the firm where I had the honor of working with Legendary Barbara G. Laurie.

In 2012, I received an invitation by my dean Marvin Malecha, FAIA to attend the Design Guild Awards at NC State honoring Legendary Phil Freelon.

In 2017 I joined the team at CO Architects and worked on the renovation to the Paul R. Williams, FAIA building on UCLA’s campus.

You can’t tell me I wasn’t meant to be here...sharing the stories of Black Architects. 🖤 It’s been an honor. I dedicate this painting to all the Black architects who paved a way for me.

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In celebration of Black History Month I painted a tribute to the great Paul Williams and the banana leaf wallpaper installed at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

A time lapse of the painting was shared as well as facts about Black architects in hope to spread awareness of the impact Black architects on society. Black history is American history.

@ Los Angeles, California

31/08/2020

I had a chance to speak to Architectural Digest about the current Paul R. Williams projects under renovation on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles. Please read and share!

And one involves that iconic palm leaf print you know and love