J. Max Bond Jr. facts for kids

J. Max Bond Jr. (1935 – February 18, 2009) was an important American architect. He became interested in architecture after seeing a special staircase at Tuskegee University and learning about building styles in North Africa during a trip to Tunisia. He grew to be one of the few nationally recognized African-American architects. He married writer Jean Carey Bond in 1961, and they had two children.

Early Life and Education

J. Max Bond Jr. was born in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1951, when he was just 16, he started studying at Harvard University. He earned his first degree in 1955 and a master's degree three years later.

During his time at Harvard, he faced challenges because of his race. He was one of eleven Black students targeted by a difficult incident in front of their dorm. A Harvard teacher even told him to stop pursuing architecture because of his race. But J. Max Bond Jr. did not give up. He worked hard and succeeded in a field that was mostly white at the time.

Architectural Career and Key Projects

Bond began his career in France, working with architect André Wogenscky. Later, he moved back to New York City and worked for other architecture firms.

From 1964 to 1967, he lived in Ghana, where he designed several government buildings. One notable project was the Bolgatanga Regional Library. This library had four buildings under one large roof. The design helped keep the buildings cool naturally, so air conditioning wasn't needed.

After returning to the United States, he led the Architects' Renewal Committee in Harlem (ARCH) from 1967 to 1968. In 1970, he started his own architectural firm, Bond Ryder & Associates, with Donald P. Ryder.

His firm designed many significant buildings, including:

• The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta.
• The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama.
• Harlem's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

In 1990, after Donald P. Ryder retired, Bond's firm joined another company called Davis, Brody & Associates. The new firm was named Davis Brody Bond. J. Max Bond Jr. became a partner there. At the time of his death, he was working on the museum part of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site.

Leadership in Architecture Education

J. Max Bond Jr. also held important leadership roles in architecture education. From 1980 to 1984, he was the chairman of the architecture division at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture and Planning.

Later, from 1985 to 1992, he served as the dean of the City College of New York School of Architecture and Environmental Studies. He also worked as a member of the New York City Planning Commission from 1980 to 1986.

Personal Life and Family

J. Max Bond Jr. lived in Manhattan, New York. He passed away from cancer on February 18, 2009, at the age of 73.

He was survived by his wife, writer Jean Carey Bond, their two children, three grandchildren, a sister, and a brother. His family included many notable individuals:

• His father was J. Max Bond Sr., who was the President of the University of Liberia.
• His mother was Ruth Clement Bond.
• His sister was the historian Jane Clement Bond.
• His brother was Professor George C. Bond from Columbia University.
• His uncle was Horace Mann Bond.
• His cousin was Julian Bond, a well-known civil rights leader.