Special Section on Architects

Boney Architects named North Carolina firm of the year

Boney Architects, a 50-person planning, design and construction administration firm with offices in Wilmington, Raleigh and Charlotte, is the 2002 recipient of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Firm Award. 

This honor is the highest presented to an architectural firm by the state chapter. It is given annually to a North Carolina firm that has consistently produced quality architecture with a verifiable level of client satisfaction for a period of at least 10 years as an established presence in the state.

Founded in 1922 by Leslie N. Boney Sr., the firm’s design influence is evidenced throughout the state as 74 of North Carolina’s 100 counties boast projects completed by Boney Architects. Early in its existence, the firm established itself as a pioneer in educational facility design, playing a leading role in consolidating many of the state’s one-room schoolhouses. Many of the firm’s early school buildings are now listed on the National Historic Register.

And as the firm grew, Boney Architects continued to design many of North Carolina’s educational facilities, including the Walter Royal Davis Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the original campus master plan for UNC Wilmington, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Governors’ Village educational campus.

Most recently, the firm has designed many of the state’s newest educational facilities, including Centennial Campus Middle School in Raleigh, Veterans Park Educational Campus in New Hanover County, UNC Wilmington’s Lakeside Hall and new computer science building, as well as a new satellite campus for Cape Fear Community College.

In addition to its reputation for educational facility design, Boney Architects also has a diverse portfolio of healthcare, corporate, commercial and institutional projects. In 1954, the firm completed the Little Chapel on the Boardwalk, the first contemporary church built in North Carolina east of Raleigh. In the 1960s, Boney was commissioned to design the new hospital tower for New Hanover Regional Medical Center, and in 1975 it completed the historic renovation of Thalian Hall in Wilmington.

Some of the firm’s recent corporate and commercial projects include the new Atlantic Telephone corporate offices in Shallotte, Barclay Commons office and retail complex, PPD corporate headquarters, and the new Wachovia office building currently under construction in Wilmington.

The firm’s work and leadership have been recognized regionally and nationally, having received numerous design awards. Firm members have been actively involved with the American Institute of Architects for more than 50 years, holding leadership positions at the local, state and national levels. In 1982, The AIA College of Fellows bestowed the Kemper Award upon Leslie N. Boney Jr., FAIA, and further honored him and the Boney firm in 2000 by establishing the Leslie N. Boney Spirit of Fellowship Award. Paul Davis Boney, FAIA, currently serves as a member of the AIA national board of directors.

This past summer, Boney Jr. was presented with the AIA’s highest honor, a Presidential Citation, for outstanding service to the profession and his community. “His is a career made exemplary by an unflagging commitment to follow as his life’s vocation service to his fellow man,” says Gordon H. Chong, FAIA, the current AIA president.

Boney Architect’s long history can be accredited to the firm’s awareness that as time changes, it must change right along with it. Colleague John Atkins III, president and CEO of O’Brien/Atkins Associates, PA, says, “The public sector is a challenging environment for architects; however, for over eight decades, Boney has consistently delivered the right combination of personal service, integrity and creative design solutions resulting in solid relationships with its clients. When one thinks of North Carolina architectural firms that have successfully sustained themselves across time and have made a significant impact on our environment, Boney Architects has no rival.”


Charlotte architect wins Gold Medal
Charlotte architect and artist Jeffrey A. Huberman, FAIA, is the 2002 recipient of the F. Carter Williams Gold Medal, the highest honor the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects accords its membership. The Gold Medal is awarded in recognition of a distinguished career of extraordinary accomplishments as an architect. 

Huberman received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Florida in 1964. Upon graduation, he began practice with Odell Associates and later moved to Wolf-Johnson & Associates. In 1971, he and fellow architect Harvey B. Gantt, FAIA founded Gantt Huberman Architects, launching a 31-year partnership that continues today. 

Huberman has held membership with the North Carolina Board of Architecture since 1994 and has since served as the organization’s secretary, treasurer and vice president, and now holds the office of president. Huberman has also served as AIA North Carolina secretary, vice president and president and was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 1994.

Aside from his architectural career, Huberman has also established himself as an accomplished painter and artist. Permanent displays of his work are featured throughout North Carolina and also in locations in Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

“It would not be an overstatement to say that Jeff’s commitment to high standards of professional practice, coupled with his willingness to work hard, has made a difference in how we practice architecture in this state and nationally,” says partner Harvey Gant.

The F. Carter Willliams Gold Medal is named for the late Raleigh architect F. Carter Williams, FAIA. An endowment established by the Williams family in 1998 supports the Gold Medal award.


Hemphill awarded service medal
Charlotte architect James C. Hemphill Jr., FAIA is the 2002 recipient of the William Henley Deitrick Medal for Service from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The award is presented annually to a North Carolina architect who performs extraordinary service to the chapter, profession or to his or her community. 

Hemphill earned his architecture degree from Clemson University. Upon graduation, he served as apprentice to his father, also an architect. In 1952, he joined Odell Associates and served as principal associate until 1970 when he founded Hemphill Associates. 

Hemphill has a long record of leadership in a variety of committees and organizations. He played a lead role in establishing the Charlotte Section of AIA North Carolina. He has also served as president of the Charlotte Section, president of the AIA North Carolina, president of the Charlotte Civitan’s Club and president of the North Carolina Board of Architecture. Hemphill also was bestowed with one of the AIA’s highest honors, election into the College of Fellows. He chaired a variety of committees, including the AIA North Carolina Programs Committee, Public Relations Committee and By-Laws Committee.

Hemphill’s work has had a lasting effect on the industry as it exists today. He led the effort to establish the 16-division format of specifications indexing that is still used today in the construction industry. He is also the author of several publications, including Glossary of Architectural Terms for students at Clemson University; New AIA Filing System and Uniform System.

Hemphill is strongly dedicated to the future of the architectural profession, volunteering his time to mentor students of architecture, architectural apprentices and professionals. He served as a continuing lecturer to the professional practice classes at Clemson University for 10 years. 

Retired Raleigh architect Macon S. Smith, FAIA and last year’s Deitrick honoree, says of Hemphill: “I can’t think of but a few architects who have devoted so much of their time and energy to the education of architectural apprentices and professionals as well as improving the image of the profession with the public.”

Colleague Harvey B. Gantt, FAIA of Gantt Huberman Architects in Charlotte concurs, saying, “I’ve always admired the fact that Jim has consistently served his profession and the community and has done both with the integrity and character befitting a man of stature in our profession.”

The Deitrick Medal is named for William Henley Deitrick, a past president of AIA North Carolina. Deitrick donated his offices at the historic Raleigh Water Tower to be used as the state chapter’s headquarters upon his retirement in 1963.