Leon Bridges, FAIA Faithful Servant and Fghting Lion.

Baltimore AIA reported on a Monday in April that longtime Baltimore architect and Fellow of the American Institute of Architects had died. Today I attended his memorial service.

Leon Bridges was born on August 18, 1932 in Los Angeles, California. In 1952 he was drafted to the military and stationed in Japan. He earned his architecture degree from the University of Washington in 1960 and worked initially in Seattle. He came to Baltimore in 1972. He was the first registered African American architect in Maryland. 

Leon Bridges, FAIA speaking about HarborPlace in 2024

He received many awards in his lifetime including a Citation for Excellence in Community Architecture and was in 1972 the first Black architect to have received a national award from the American Institute of Architects. All his life he worked hard for the advancement of architects of color. “I have a lot to say and I can speak at length“ he said even after he was 90. 

He had his own practice first in Seattle and then here.  His office was next to mine for some years. After semi retiring from it he became an adjunct professor at the Morgan State architecture department where he tought until not too long ago and invited me at times to be a visiting studio critic. He stayed involved as a critical commentator on local politics, for example as a critic of the planned HarborPlace development about which he spoke in the basement of the same church he was now eulogized. 

Leon was a local and national giant in architecture and urban design and will remembered fondly as many of today’s accolades illustrated. We will miss his, even in high age, forceful and critical voice. Leon was never shy to share his opinion and always strived for improvement. A good faithful servant, the pastor said, stressing that GFS was more important than the other letters behind Leon’s name (FAIA, NOMA). Three years ago at a talk he gave at Morgan State on occasion on some honorary award, he stated, I am still here, I have a lot to say, I could talk forever. He noted that he wanted to be alive to see his grandson graduate. He didn't quite make it. Now this grandson spoke and sang powerfully at his funeral.

So there he lay in his bow-tie and suit looking good and  tolerated whatever occurred in his honor until the coffin was closed and he was carried  into the hearse while the mourners, naturally many architects among them, took a deep breath after contemplating mortality and possible deliverance and the question what survivors would have to say about them. Relieved they streamed into the spring sunshine counting the blessing that they could still walk on their own. From what the pastor had said, at various hospital visits in recent months Leon had told God that he needed more time and he walked out of the hospital under his own power. No doubt, he would have enjoyed this lovely day as well and loved to shake hands with his many friends and acquaintances who assembled in front of the Douglas Memorial Community Church for a chat.

Klaus Philipsen, FAIA