Harry G. Robinson III

Harry G. Robinson III (born January 18, 1942) is an American architect, and professor of architecture and Dean Emeritus of the School of Architecture and Design at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts from 1994 to 2003, and served as its chairman from 2002 to 2003. He is also the first African American to be elected president of the National Architectural Accrediting Board, and the first African American elected president of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

Early life and career Robinson was born at Freedman's Hospital on January 18, 1942, in Washington, D.C., to Harry G. Robinson, Jr. and Gwendolyn Herriford Robinson. He had an older sister, Joan. His grandmother, Mamie Hill Robinson, graduated from Howard's teachers college in 1887. His father was born in 1908 in a home where Howard University's William H. Greene Stadium now stands. His father often boasted of being "born on Howard's 50 yard line". His grandmother later sold the property to the university for $10. Robinson was nicknamed "Butch" while growing up.

Robinson graduated from Howard University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree (with design honors). He received the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart, He then enrolled at Harvard University, where he obtained an MCP in urban design in 1972 from the Graduate School of Design. Robinson has long advocated equal access for African-American architects, but argues that black architects should seek work where they can get it. "I don't want to ask for anything. It's embarrassing to me," he told Newsday in 1991. "I have a new sense of being a radical. I really had to, with the barrage of negative press and complaints of what we don't have. I'm tired of it. ... We simply aren't going to get large corporate work. That's a different network. But we have our own network. We have the black church, we have the black sororities and fraternities. Of course we want equal access, but no profession is without its barriers."

Robinson was named Howard University's Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Vice President for University Administration in 1995. During this time, he sponsored a process to craft a campus master plan. He continued at Howard as the James E. Silcott Professor of Architecture. He was the commission's vice chairman from 2000 to 2002, and its chairman from 2002 to 2003. He also voiced strong views about the Washington Metro's decision to place glass-and-steel canopies over all Metro station entrances. When Metro brought its design before the CFA, Robinson said, "Not only is it dull, it's offensive." Robinson led the commission in strongly criticizing the canopies. "Metro cannot build what they have shown us," he said in July 2000. "It isn't going to happen." The Park Service withdrew the plans.

In December 1995, Robinson was named chairman of a 14-member ad hoc panel established by President Bill Clinton to propose a redesign of the closed segment of Pennsylvania Avenue NW between the White House and Lafayette Square. The panel proposed a "town square" idea that would remove the pavement and plant a field of grass, as well as add retail, food service, and educational kiosks to make the area a more attractive gathering place. Unsightly security barriers would be replaced with more decorative planters, The panel's design plan extended these decorative motifs several blocks in every direction from the White House. (As of 2012, no long-term plan has been proposed.)

Other roles Robinson co-founded TRG Consulting in 1976, and remained with the firm as of 2009. and a trustee of the Cooper–Hewitt, National Design Museum.

In 2010, Robinson was named an executive consulting architect for the American Battle Monuments Commission. He was the first African American to serve in this position.

Robinson is a member of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City. He received the Richard T. Ely Distinguished International Educator Award from the Lambda Alpha International honorary society for the advancement of land economics in 1991.

Personal life Robinson is married to local radio station executive Dianne Robinson. They have three daughters: Erin, Leigh, and Kia.