The Auburn University Early Learning Center, a transformation from the former campus police station to a lively place to educate future educators (and right in the shadow of Jordan-Hare). Architecture and design by Birchfield Penuel Architects.
Fortif Law Office in Birmingham, Alabama. Architecture by Design Initiative. I just loved the renovation of this beautiful old building into a modern office. With no windows along the side walls, the design decisions that bring so much natural light to both top and middle floors while retaining the functionality of a law office is really clever. Plus, those ancient posts and beams cut from the original timber of this land are things of beauty. Getting to experience spaces like this one firsthand is one of the best perks of photographing architecture.
The Albertville Tennis Center at Sand Mountain Park on a blazing hot summer day. Architecture by Chambless King Architects.
BPA Office by Birchfield Penuel Architects. This project won an AIA Honor Award in 2024. The transformation of this building from a nondescript facade to the most remarkable building on the street is…well, remarkable. It makes me happy every time I drive by it. The interior is just as great as the exterior! Thanks to @ltaylordixon for bringing me on to capture it and staying late to get the jack-o-lantern shot. If you want to read about the project (with befores and afters), visit the AIA Birmingham website and look at the Design Awards 2024. It’ll blow your mind.
Supertone. Architecture by David Baker Architects. A fitness space as Tron as you’ll find anywhere in America.
Last night Kaylee and I got to celebrate the great architecture in our city at the AIA Birmingham awards banquet. Photographing some of the designs which shape the public and private spaces in which we live, work, and play has been great fun and a real honor. IMO this was the most badass submission.
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend. For the final post in this series, here is Andrea Pettway with her quilt. Andrea told us that she usually quilts with old denim. One of the coolest parts of the project was seeing how these artists adapted their styles to the Dedar fabric. I think this is a particularly beautiful example. Like the others, this quilt is on display at the Venice Biennale of Architecture through November. #uspavilion2025 #geesbend
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend. This quilt was made by Emma Mooney Pettway for the US Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Fabric is by Dedar Milan. #uspavilion2025 #geesbend
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend. This is Jennifer Williams, displaying quilt made by her mother, Sharon Williams. We photographed Jennifer at the end of this idyllic road in Boykin with cows munching pasture grass just behind where I stood photographing her. #uspavilion2025 #geesbend
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend. This is a quilt by Cathey Mooney and is currently on display at the American Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale. The project was directed by @stephenburksmanmade with fabric from @dedarmilano. I with y’all could hear Cathey humming the gospel while she worked. I’m grateful to have been able to capture such a rich collaboration.
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend. This is Lua Ida McCloud on her front porch in Boykin, AL. The American Pavilion at the Venice Bienniale is all about The Porch as a place of gathering, welcoming, and, in the case of these women, quilting. #venicebiennale #uspavilion2025 #geesbend
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend. This is Mary Margaret Pettway working the edge of her quilt in the dogtrot at the old Gee’s Bend ferry port. The image above in the third photo is credited to Edith Morgan, circa 1900 (thanks to @carynorton and @jaredragland for the detective work). Mary Margaret’s quilt is currently on display at the American Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale of Architecture. #venicebiennale #uspavilion2025 #geesbend
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend. This is Dorris Pettway’s quilt, also made with Dedar fabric and in collaboration with Stephen Burks Man Made. The second frame is Dorris, working on her quilt at the Gee’s Bend museum which is located in the old ferry port. This quilt is currently on display at the American Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale of Architecture. #venicebiennale #uspavilion2025 #geesbend
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend. This is Tinnie Pettway, the matriarch of the Gee’s Bend Quilters. I photographed her at home in Boykin, AL as she finished this quilt, which is currently on display at the American Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale of Architecture.
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend. This is Stella Pettway and Pleasent Scott of Boykin, AL, and this quilt was a collaboration between the quilters, Stephen Burks Man Made, and Italian fabric maker Dedar. The quilt is part of the American Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale of Architecture, on display through November. #venicebiennale #uspavilion #geesbend