BRUNIE NANCY PIERRE
Portrait courtesy of Brunie Nancy Pierre.
Bachelor of Architecture from New Jersey Institute of Technology
Brunie Pierre is a Haitian-American architectural designer, based in the New Jersey/New York area, who just recently graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology with a Bachelors of Architecture. She served as secretary and president for her school’s National Organization of Minority Architecture Students chapter. Currently, she works for the Division of Architecture for The City of Jersey City as a project manager assistant and also developing landscape architecture. Brunie hopes to set a precedent for future black woman architects as well as be a voice for those who are under-represented both within the architecture community and those that are impacted by our architecture.
The Inherent Value of Being a Black Woman in Architecture
What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture?
When I was younger I would see plans and drawings from my dad's work, he is an electrician, and the drawings, even though I didn't fully understand them, looked interesting and it was fun trying to get through the spaces by re-imagining them in my head. Later on, when I got to high school I took an architectural drawing class and it was one of those classes I was excited to go to every day. I realized that my expertise in math and my interest in design could be used towards a career that I could actually build and enjoy, and once I got to NJIT and saw how impactful architecture could be within a community, I knew it was something that could really change lives and something I genuinely wanted to be a part of.
Taking a picture with your project at a final review is like taking a picture at the end of a marathon: you’re just glad it’s over. Photo Courtesy of Brunie Nancy Pierre.
Throughout architecture school, was there a moment where you felt that you did not belong?
My first year in architecture school was honestly difficult. My professors were worried that I wasn’t able to grasp the architectural process of translating my design ideas into 2D and 3D drawings. Their doubts and the novelty of being in college and studying architecture at that made me uncertain about design. I constantly questioned if I had made the right choice. Plus, looking at the room and seeing that you are one of the 3 black kids in a class of 75-80 students was baffling. Would architecture accept me? However, through all the doubts and concerns, I pushed through and decided that my place in architecture was needed. That yes, I may struggle, but I must continue to show myself compassion and as a black woman, my place in the space of architecture matters and is inherently valuable. There were a lot of factors running against me, but here I am with a degree and experience under my belt making a difference in my community.
Being invited to a job site and having a hard hat on made the idea of being an architect in the field feel more like reality. Photo Courtesy of Brunie Nancy Pierre.
Site surveying a park that is currently in the works within the community. Cold sacrifices for a warm reward. Photo Courtesy of Brunie Nancy Pierre.
What motivated you to start the National Organization for Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) chapter at your school? How was the collaborative process between you and your colleagues when starting the organization?
Two of my colleagues (Melissa Nieves and Shesi Azeez) came to me with the idea of re-initiating a NOMAS chapter, I was all for it! Architecture school is challenging and it’s important to have a support system that understands studio life and the stress that comes with it, this system must also be able to encourage and assist whenever possible and that was a common goal we had for our chapter. When starting the organization there definitely were a few bumps in the road. NJIT’s architecture building is disconnected ( both physically and in organizational structure) from the rest of the campus, so trying to satisfy the requirements for both NJIT and the Hillier College of Architecture and Design was quite challenging for a group of undergrad minority students. But we made it work and I could not be prouder of all the things we were able to accomplish.
It’s interesting that you collaborated with colleagues on starting the NOMAS chapter, how was the collaborative effort in designing the multi-use housing project in Flatbush? What was the importance of the collaborative process to design a space that is inclusive for all?
Designing the multi-use housing project in Flatbush was a lot of fun, extremely stressful but also revealing. We were so attached to the project and to NOMAS and wanted nothing but perfection. The project is community-based and close to homemade it personal so we took our design approach seriously and wanted our design solutions considered. The process of being collaborative was important because we provided solutions from every viewpoint and having all the different perspectives of my colleagues made it easy to touch all the bases. Inclusivity in design is one of our core principles, and designing, researching, and investigating solutions within a group ensure that everyone’s best interests are included.
An axonometric perspective of our submission to the NOMA student competition. Photo Courtesy of Brunie Nancy Pierre.
As minority women in the field, it is crucial that we network with others who share similarities. We need to feel hopeful that we are important and needed in the field.
a) What are the new things that you have learned about yourself after attending the annual NOMA conference?
Going to an annual NOMA conference is an E X P E R I E N C E . Being around people who look like you, have gone through similar struggles, and are just as eager as you are to do better not only humbles you but inspires you to work harder. I knew my journey was rough but there were others who had it harder but in the end, they were on top of their fields and successful. It just reinforced my belief that I can be just as successful. I learned that being able to connect with people through our experiences is a networking skill that could get you into the right place at the right time. I also learned that I’m the type of person who is constantly wanting to know/learn more and be a jack of all trades. Architecture has so many different aspects and I want to be able to navigate through all of them not just to advance my career but to help communities/people along the way.
Just one of the many memories I’ve made at the NOMA Conference 2018 Chicago and friends that will be here for a lifetime! Photo Courtesy of Brunie Nancy Pierre.
b) What are new things that you have learned about the profession overall?
I learned that the architecture world still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity and having fair advantages, but that there’s steps being made to eventually get to that “perfect” world. As more and more black people and people of color are getting involved in this profession the more value is being added. Our unique perspectives fill in the cracks that were overlooked and bring more knowledge to the table. I also learned that we, black people/people of color, have actually been in the game for quite some time and have made major impacts, we have just been either erased or silenced. There’s a lot of history that needs to be unearthed and more history to be made.
After starting a phenomenal chapter and being invested in the chapter through the competition and other events, what is next? How do you think NOMA nationally will further influence you as an aspiring architect?
What’s next is being a resource for people who are just starting their architecture journey and helping them rise in their careers. Having a support system is so important and having a network is the only way I see people having a fair opportunity in this field. I just want to help as many people as I can throughout my career. As for NOMA national, they will continue to be a part of my life as I transition to the New Jersey professional chapter and continue to try to make a difference.
A vision board I created for myself this summer of 2020 in the midst of covid and industry insecurity. A reminder to myself to keep pushing forward through all the madness. Photo Courtesy of Brunie Nancy Pierre.
Graduating was probably one of the biggest moments of my life and I could not be more proud of myself. Photo Courtesy of Brunie Nancy Pierre.
