The Adams Design Group, LLC

10/23/2026

Sometimes, the measure of your leadership finds you decades later—at Homecoming.

During his years at Howard University our founder and principal, Derrick A. Adams, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, served for three years as a resident assistant. He helped young men navigate college life, held them accountable, and offered guidance when they needed it.

This past Homecoming, several of those former residents found him. They remembered conversations, moments of encouragement and expectations that had stayed with them for close to 40 years. One shared that the example Derrick set then now informs his own work counseling boys and young men.

Derrick may not remember every conversation. The people on the other side of them do. Those encounters speak to a responsibility he continues to carry as the leader of The Adams Design Group: Show up with purpose. Lead through your actions. Help someone else find their footing.

You may not know the reach of that example until years later.

10/22/2026

One of the most meaningful voices at Howard’s celebration of 115 years of architectural education belonged to a student. For our founder and principal, Derrick A. Adams, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, hearing the recipient of the Derrick A. Adams Excellence in Architecture Scholarship speak was a highlight of the gathering.

It brought the conversation about legacy into the present: a student pursuing her education, developing her voice and preparing to make her own contribution to the profession.

Howard helped shape Derrick’s path. Through the scholarship, he is helping another generation move forward on theirs. We are proud to share this moment—and to continue supporting the future of architecture.

10/19/2026

Our owner and founding principal, Derrick A. Adams, AIA, NCARB, NOMA kicked off Howard University’s Homecoming a tad early last week, celebrating 115 years of the Department of Architecture—where he earned his degree in 1990!

Returning to the Yard brought back memories of the professors who challenged him, shaped his thinking and taught lessons that extended well beyond the drafting table.

In this video, Derrick shares some of their memorable attributes—and the larger lessons behind their expectations. Those lessons continue to influence his approach to design, his leadership of The Adams Design Group and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of architects.

For Derrick, coming home is also an opportunity to reflect on the foundation behind the firm: an education rooted in excellence, accountability and the responsibility to build something that matters.

Honoring our past and present, while preparing our future. That’s a legacy worth coming home for.

10/08/2026

The Adams Design Group congratulates Lindsey Parker on her appointment as Executive Director of the MarylandStadium Authority (MSA).

ADG is proud of our longstanding relationship with MSA, including our work on seven public school projects in Baltimore City, Caroline and Kent Counties, as well as Oriole Park at Camden Yards (OPACY).

Our Founder, Derrick A. Adams, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, often reminds us that what we build is just as important as where we build it—and who benefits from it.

We look forward to continuing our relationship with MSA and creating public spaces that strengthen Baltimore and communities throughout Maryland.

Congratulations, Lindsey, and best wishes in this new chapter!

Her broader goal, she said, is to make sure Maryland receives the greatest possible public benefit from the projects and facilities overseen by the Maryland Stadium Authority.

10/06/2026

115 years of vision. Generations of impact. A future still taking shape. 🏛️✨

You’re invited to celebrate 115 Years of Excellence in Architectural Education at Howard University!

Join us as we honor the architects who paved the way, celebrate Howard graduates shaping our communities today, and inspire the students who will design what comes next.

Honoring Our Past and Present, While Preparing Our Future.

📅 Wednesday, October 14, 2026
🕕 6:00–8:00 p.m.
📍 Innovation Center, Howard H. Mackey Building
Howard University School of Architecture
2366 Sixth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20059

📩 RSVP by October 12 to John Onyango, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Architecture, at [email protected].

Come celebrate the legacy—and the possibilities ahead.

09/30/2026

Celebrating 115 Years of Howard Architecture

For more than a century, Howard University has educated architects who have gone on to design buildings, shape communities and create opportunities for generations to follow.

That history includes architects such as Albert I. Cassell and Lewis E. Fry Sr., whose contributions helped establish a powerful architectural legacy at Howard.

ADG founder Derrick A. Adams proudly stands in that tradition as a Howard University graduate.

The lessons, mentorship and opportunities he received at Howard helped shape the architect and firm leader he would become. Today, Derrick is working to extend that same opportunity to future architects through the Derrick A. Adams Excellence in Architecture Scholarship.

As we celebrate 115 years of Howard Architecture, we honor those who laid the foundation, those building upon it today and the students who will carry the legacy forward.

The buildings matter. The people who design them matter even more.

09/28/2026

Good morning! This public service announcement is critical to hear and understand, especially this year. Voting is a right that should be exercised each election. We should never take this right lightly and we should always cast our ballot.

09/25/2026

Becoming a licensed architect is not for the faint of heart.

When our founder, Derrick Adams, passed the architecture registration exam, the process looked very different than it does today. It was a nine-part, 35-hour examination given over four consecutive days, including a 12-hour building design test. The exam was offered just once a year, at the same time throughout the country.

The process has changed, but the profession still demands perseverance.

As Derrick puts it, you have to be resilient, thick-skinned and ready to bounce back when something doesn’t go your way.

That experience also shapes how we lead at The Adams Design Group. We believe architecture firms have a responsibility to prepare the people coming behind us. That means giving our staff the knowledge, real-world experience and pathway toward professional licensure.
If we are serious about legacy, we have to do more than create great buildings.

We have to help build great architects.

09/24/2026

Tonight, we’re going back to Hillman! 🎓

A Different World returns for a new generation, nearly four decades after the original series brought the HBCU experience into homes across America.

And the timing couldn’t be more interesting.

HBCU enrollment is growing again. Recent reporting shows that 42 of the nation’s 101 HBCUs experienced enrollment growth between 2019 and 2024, with Howard University growing by 50%.

Hillman College may be fictional, but the institutions, students and opportunities it represents are very real.

That connection has special meaning for The Adams Design Group. Our founder, Derrick A. Adams, is a proud Howard University graduate who established the Derrick A. Adams Excellence in Architecture Scholarship to help support Howard students pursuing careers in architecture.

The scholarship fund stands at $36,575 toward its $100,000 goal to become endowed.

As we return to Hillman tonight, let’s remember the real students walking across HBCU campuses. More students choosing HBCUs means more young people preparing to become our architects, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Continued investment in their success matters more than ever.

A different world doesn’t build itself. We have to build it.

When ‘A Different World’ premiered, it coincided with a boom in HBCU enrollment, and the reboot arrives during a similar

06/08/2026

Hello Everyone,

As many of you know, I am an architect with 36 years of experience, having been licensed for 32 years. I have successfully owned my firm for the past 16 years. Since graduating from Howard University, I have wanted to establish a scholarship fund to support aspiring architectural students in pursuing their undergraduate degrees.

Last October, I was fortunate to establish the Derrick A. Adams Excellence in Architecture Scholarship at the Howard University School of Engineering and Architecture.

In celebration of my upcoming 60th birthday, I am launching a giving campaign to fund this scholarship. I kindly request your support for this worthy endeavor. Currently, only 2% of registered architects in the American Institute of Architects are African American. This scholarship aims to help these aspiring students reach graduation and fulfill their path to licensure.

Thank you for your consideration and support of this noble cause.