“They have the ability and the talent to fill the role with the added plus of also bringing a diverse perspective and a diverse team to the table …”

It’s not surprising that Robert P. Madison International, led by CEO Sandra Madison, was chosen as the architect of record for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s $135 million expansion that broke ground last month.

The Cleveland-based firm — founded by Robert P. Madison in 1954 — is internationally renowned and was the architectural consultant for the Rock Hall in 1995. 

The first Black-owned architectural firm in Ohio, RPMI has earned numerous accolades.  In 1965, the firm was even selected to design the U.S. Embassy Office Building in Dakar, Senegal.

Honors earned since Sandra Madison took over ownership in 2016 include winning the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Interior Design Awards from American School and University Magazine. Under Sandra’s leadership, the firm was also recognized in 2018 and 2019 by Weatherhead 100 as one of the fastest growing firms in Northeast Ohio and by the SBA as District Minority Owned Firm of the Year. RPMI is an AIA Ohio Gold Medal Award winner.

RPMI has worked on many notable projects and buildings, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, the Stokes renovation and addition to the Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Huntington Convention Center, Cleveland Hilton Hotel, Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State University.

But, while Robert P. Madison International being chosen by the Rock Hall is not surprising – it is remarkable.

Black architects make up only around 2% of licensed architects in the United States. Black women architects are even more of a minority – making up less than 0.4% of licensed architects. With 19 employees, Sandra Madison oversees the largest Black female owned architecture firm in Ohio.

She attended the Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Career Discovery Program for Urban Design and was the only Black woman in her class at the University of Maryland School of Architecture. At the time that she was licensed, Sandra was one of 25 Black female licensed architects in the entire United States, facts that led to her commitment to mentorship and promoting diversity in architecture. The total number of Black female licensed architects today is just shy of 600, which leaves a lot of work to be done.

One of the first things she did when she took over the firm her uncle Robert founded was to add mentorship to the RPMI mission statement. Sandra Madison serves on the Assembly for the Arts Board, the YWCA Board and formerly on the ACE Board, the GCP Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board and former chair of the Cleveland AIA chapter’s Women in Architecture Committee.

RPMI’s selection by the Rock Hall was based on history and a shared vision, she says.

“We always kept in contact with the Hall,” she says. “You know, it feels like its our building.
To be honest, we would have been devastated if we didn't get the project. We have great ties with the Hall, and we were very familiar with the project and existing building.”

RPMI is the Architect of Record for the Rock Hall Addition while the  New York-based Practice for Architecture and Urbanism – PAU – is the criteria architect for the 50,000-square-foot addition that will contain exhibit, performance and education spaces. 

“It’s great that [Rock Hall CEO Greg Harris] and others recognized what possibilities could make the Hall even more attractive to all visitors. I'm excited for this phase and what it's going to do for the Rock Hall and city,” says Madison.

CEO Harris says the selection of RPMI was a clear one.

“They were our architect of record when we first built the building, and that was really terrific. When we were looking to do this expansion, their name came up immediately; one, because of that history; but two, because we believe that diverse teams are better teams. They have the ability and the talent to fill the role with the added plus of also bringing a diverse perspective and a diverse team to the table, which we really value.”

 A commitment to diversity is essential to the Rock Hall’s mission, adds Harris.

 “It’s part of our DNA, because rock and roll is a very broad, diverse art form. Diversity is part of who we are and what we value both in our team here and in our relationships with our vendors. We’re incredibly intentional about this. We measure, we make sure that we are being equitable and being inclusive.”

Both RPMI and the Rock Hall have worked with the Minority Business Development Association at GCP on several occasions, though they did not connect through MBDA for this project. Madison says that even for established firms, MBDA can provide invaluable assistance.

“I take nothing for granted,” she says. “To have someone supporting you and in the industry, to have someone say, ‘have you spoken to Sandra?’ – that’s important. So, when [Ohio MBDA Director Marco Grgurevic] introduces me to someone in the industry or suggests that they give us a call, it's very appreciated.”

 “The Ohio MBDA is thrilled with the selection of Sandra Madison and RPMI as architect of record for the Rock Hall expansion,” says Grgurevic. “We couldn’t be prouder for someone who has been our client since the Ohio MBDA opened in 2021 to earn such a high-profile contract, and we applaud the Rock Hall on their commitment to diversity.” 

Madison says the Rock Hall expansion could open even more doors for RPMI.

“This project is highly visible —I mean it's the Rock Hall, there’s only one at this scale,” she says. “We were attached to it from the beginning, and now we are attached to phase two. It’s going to really make a difference. It’s big portfolio changer for us and we're very proud to be a part of it.”