COLES HOUSE Project

05/21/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT! REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
Historic Structures Report and Conservation and Reuse Plan for the
Coles House, Studio, and Garden

Hello everyone! We, at the Coles House Project, a non-profit organization headquartered in Buffalo, New York, are seeking proposals from qualified architecture, design, and historic preservation professionals for the completion of a Historic Structure Report and Conservation and Reuse Plan for the Coles Home, Studio, and Garden located at 321 Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo, NY, 14208. The 1961 2,000 square foot house and studio sits on a .18-acre residential lot. To be considered as eligible, respondents must have demonstrated experience in historic preservation, creative and inclusive approaches to community engagement, and the ability to work with the client to envision and create a conservation and reuse plan that advances the goals and objectives of the Coles House Project. The Coles House Project requests that interested parties respond to this Request for Proposals by
11:59 P.M. ET on Friday, June 20, 2025.

This work is supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and the Getty Museum's Conserving Black Modernism Program!

For more RFP details, see link below!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vujUnpR361N0Foqh33X2c-oxvbItNOL5/view

02/05/2025

If you are in the Buffalo, New York area tonight (Wednesday February 5th) check out our Co-Lead Albert Chao talk about the Coles House Project at the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning as part of a panel installment of Reimagining Black Futures Part 1 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm in 403 Hayes Hall! What a great line up this is!

Join us on February 5 from 5:30-8:00pm in 403 Hayes Hall for Reimagining Black Futures Part I, a meaningful panel discussion as part of our Black History Month programming.

This event will explore contemporary projects in Buffalo, examining their opportunities and challenges through short presentations by Albert Chao (Cole House), Jin Young Song (514 Memorial), Christina Orsi (Oishei Foundation), and Dr. Henry Taylor (East Side Neighborhood).

The evening includes a moderated discussion led by Dr. Emmanuel Frimpong Boamah, an audience Q&A, and a reception to close.

Learn more about the projects and speakers: https://archplan.buffalo.edu/events/2025/spring-2025/rbf1.html

And mark your calendars for Part II on February 12th!

01/03/2025

Happy 2025 everyone! Thank you to the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning for featuring our very own Co-Lead, adjunct instructor Albert Chao ! We have big and exciting programming planned for this year such as the "Brunch at Bob's" series that will bring together mentees, colleagues and friends that Robert Coles impacted, exhibitions and a summer drawing program as well as a plan to restore the Coles House and Studio. Join us in 2025 as we build together, here we go!

12/08/2024

Thank you Mellon Foundation ! Wonderful article on the Coles House Project also featuring our Co-Leaders Albert Chao and Scott Ruff. With deep gratitude to you, we are able to develop and grow this organization to new heights! Join us as we build together! We have so much in store and excited for 2025!

11/27/2024

To friends, family and fans of the Coles House Project, happy holidays from the Coles House Project! We have some exciting news……

One donor just doubled our donations!

This generous donation of $8,500 from a passionate and committed donor in Pittsburgh came through last week, getting us close to $17,000–just in time for Giving Tuesday. This is an amazing boost for our collective work on the Coles House Project, and it's all thanks to you— friends, family and fans of the Coles House Project.

Kisha, a member of this important group, reached out to her network, and connected us to a fan all the way from Pittsburgh. This one simple act–sharing with her network Bob Coles' vision for the world, made way for someone to step up and support us, as we fight to preserve his anchor–his home–as a site for inspiration and action.

We are clear that we are only as strong as our network. Please give what you can to help us buy the house at the following link: https://givebutter.com/d2vvg9

The Coles House Project preserves the House and Studio as a place for community; this space is made special by the collective. We are opening the house to the community while also hosting events: open house, meetings, exhibitions, lectures, workshops, tours, and more. But first we have to buy the house!

Much gratitude to all. And thank you for helping us build together.

-Coles House Project

10/08/2024

Welcome to the Coles House Project! Here, at the Coles house and studio located in the east side of Buffalo, New York within the Hamlin Park Historic district is the place where community building in light of the legacy of Architect and Activist Robert Traynham Coles begins! This house and studio was designed by Robert Traynham Coles - New York State's and the North-East's first African American Architecture firm and built in 1961! The house was ingeniously designed by turning its back to the main street and instead placing the studio at the front. It was an architectural design expression and response to the Humboldt Parkway's conversion into the Kensington expressway. The style was mid-century modern consisting of two prefabricated units within an L-shape plan and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2011! (NRHP ref. no. 11000594)

For more information, check out the Wikipedia link below about the Coles House and Studio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_T._Coles_House_and_Studio

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the legendary Robert Traynham Coles, this unique to Buffalo's East Side historical landmark house and studio among other projects, advocacy and activism initiatives as well as our new organization - Coles House Project, and ways you can be involved and support!