Jordache Avery would stare out of a window at his father Kenneth Avery’s desk at the city of Jacksonville’s City Planning office and see nothing but potential. Large maps were on the wall and even a few scaled models of downtown Jacksonville were spread throughout the department, as well as drawings of future projects. Due to that exposure, Jordache was hooked on design and planning from a young age. Today he builds real buildings as the owner and principal at XMETRICAL, one a few Black-owned architecture firms in Atlanta.

What led you to your career?  Seeing the tall building driving through downtown Jacksonville as a kid initially sparked my interest in architecture. I have always been interested in buildings. I started building little mock cities out of shoeboxes in my closet. I then grew to love the pedestrian experience at the street level, appreciating the role buildings play in defining urban space. By the time I went off to college, I considered a major in business. My father convinced me to keep with architecture and try it for at least one semester.

Who was your biggest influence in your career? My father, Kenneth Avery, was a senior planner for the city of Jacksonville. Occasionally I’d go to work with him. At the time, his department was in the Old Florida Theater, an historic building in downtown Jacksonville. It was a cool building. A large canopy sign out front inscribed “Florida” in lights against the backdrop of a historic facade. The elevator featured the old scissor gate doors and was operated by a person.

What is the biggest challenge in your career or job? Balancing design considerations with client expectations and construction cost.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Watching drawings become buildings. I think the best part is driving through the city and seeing something you put there that is going to hopefully be there for generations to come. We’re creating something that is going to be a part of history.

What’s the hardest business lesson you’ve learned? You can’t do everything. Initially, you’re always accepting new projects because you need the work. When you’re busy, it is still hard to turn down work. You have to balance growth with demand and find a way to strategically scale up to keep from being stressed and overworked.   

What, if anything, is a dream project you want XMETRICAL to play a part in? I would love to design a boutique hotel with a ground-floor restaurant and rooftop bar.

How important is it to be a positive and successful representative of Black architects in Atlanta? How we represent ourselves and the example we set can influence and inspire others. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of Blacks in architecture, so young kids growing up don’t get adequate exposure to the profession. It often doesn’t appear as an option for them. Hopefully representing Black architects in Atlanta may inspire others to pursue and excel in architecture. It is also very important to have a positive influence, not only for future Black architects, but for my entire community. As a father of three, I see clearly how young minds are like sponges. They absorb everything around them and what they experience can have a profound effect on their development. Young adults are also strongly influenced by the actions of others. If we want our community to grow and thrive, we must set good examples and we must value the power of our example. We must hold ourselves responsible for our image and the effect it has on our community.

Can you describe in 10 words or less what makes a good architect? Designs buildings which elegantly define space and effortlessly defy time.

Jordache Avery

Born in: Jacksonville, Fla.

Lives in: Ormewood Park

Age: 40

Current job: Owner and principal, XMETRICAL

Previous job:  Associate architect, Corcoran-Ota

Education: Bachelor’s in architecture, Florida A&M

Family: Wife, Dr. Rashida Avery; children Jaiden (age 8), Jace (age 4) and Jordyn (age 3)

Hobbies: Swimming, billiards, football