Quarterly Note · No. 1

Architectural Awards and The Quilters of Gee’s Bend

Published July 27, 2026 · Birmingham, Alabama

Welcome to my new newsletter. I want to set the tone of this first issue by tooting my clients’ horns. I’m grateful to be able to capture with my lens the work of such talented architects, designers, and artists. I always leave these projects inspired and motivated, and I hope in some small measure this quarterly note does the same for you. Thanks for reading.

Awards

Four projects I photographed won honors at the Birmingham AIA Design Awards

Congratulations to Chambless King Architects (Honor Award, Lewis Communications), Pfeffer Torode Architecture (Merit Award, Cobb Lane), Williams Blackstock Architects (Merit Award, Nextec), and Design Initiative (Distinction Award, Armstead Residence). I’m always impressed — but never surprised — at the caliber of design output by our fair city.

The Lewis Communications building in Mobile, Alabama at dusk — a white painted-brick storefront with black steel windows glowing warm, two runners passing on the sidewalk — Lewis Communications by Chambless King Architects, Mobile, Alabama — 2026 Honor Award. Photograph by Rob Culpepper.

Interior of the Armstead Residence in Birmingham, Alabama — an open-plan living room and kitchen under a vaulted white ceiling with skylights, opening to the yard through black-framed glass doors — Armstead Residence by Design Initiative, Birmingham, Alabama — 2026 Distinction Award. Photograph by Rob Culpepper.

The Venice Architecture Biennale

The Quilters of Gee’s Bend

I was also commissioned by artist and designer Stephen Burks x Man Made to photograph the Quilters of Gee’s Bend in Boykin, Alabama. Their quilts, which were made from Dedar Milano fabrics, were displayed in the U.S. Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale. I have always wanted to meet and photograph these women, and it was an honor to have my portraits accompany the artists’ works in Venice.

A Gee's Bend quilt in ochre, charcoal and cream Dedar Milano fabrics hanging on a clothesline between pine trees in Boykin, Alabama — A quilt made by the Quilters of Gee’s Bend from Dedar Milano fabrics, Boykin, Alabama, for Stephen Burks x Man Made. Photograph by Rob Culpepper.

Work with me

I am an editorial portrait and architectural photographer based in Birmingham, Alabama. I love to collaborate on projects big and small, interesting and boring (seriously!). Let me know how I can help tell your story.

rob@robculpepper.com
robculpepper.com