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Architectural Work
Tandy's most well known piece of architecture was Villa Lewaro. His first architectural commission was from Julius Kessler. In 1908 he designed a horse stable and garage for Kessler's property in New Jersey. By 1910 Tandy designed " a series of stables, small houses, and three public schools for the New Jersey State Board of Education. " The property was constructed for Madam C. J. Walker in the Italianate style. The home finished construction in 1918 and he later designed a townhouse in Harlem for her. Tandy designed the home to have 20,000 square feet of living space. One could imagine the time it would take to construct this size home with the technology readily available in the early 20th century. The home has many Italianate features that can be seen from all angles of the home. Due to the sloped site that the property is situated on Tandy created multiple terraces in the back of the home. This is one feature that makes the home feel as if it should be situated on the Italian hillside. Several other Italianate architectural features that can be seen in the design of the home are low pitched roofs, imposing cornice structures, balconies with wrought iron railings, and cupolas. Italianate architecture has similarities with classical architecture and was heavily influenced by the Palladianism and Neoclassicism. The facade of the residence is geometrical and proportional. The first floor consists of arched windows and was designed for large social gatherings.The entrance of the mansion is covered by a two story circular portico that has ionic columns supporting it. The second floor has square doors and windows with wrought iron railings on each balcony. The portico has a flat roof with classical details and the rest of the roofs are very low pitched. This allows a spectator to see the cupolas on top of the home. A cupola is similar to a small tower that allows for spectating.

Historical Background
Tandy grew up during a time where there were no black architects. During the early 19th century Architecture was a very elitist profession and limited to African Americans. Not many African Americans were able to pursue architecture as a profession because of the money one needed in order to attend the proper school. The Civil Rights movement had not even begun when Tandy was a young adult. The struggle to fight for equal rights was definitely an obstacle for Tandy throughout his career. Fortunate enough for Tandy he was able to attend Cornell University for two years and was one of the seven founders of Alpha Phi Alpha. Tandy's involvement with the fraternity led to many connections in his architectural world; particularly in Harlem. His affiliation with Alpha Phi Alpha "provided strategic business contacts; he established professional rapport with White architect, engineer, and contractor colleagues; and last, but not least, he cultivated important patrons at an early point in his career, securing high-profile commissions from African Americans for several key buildings in Harlem." Tandy's father, Henry, was a brick mason. This is where Tandy was first exposed to architecture and construction. In 1904 Tandy enrolled in the Tuskegee Institute in order to pursue architecture. The school was founded by Booker T. Washington who was an African American leader to the entire community. He was enslaved during his early life and later started the Tuskegee Institute as well as help found the National Negro Business League. As well as studying architecture, Tandy learned about the political and philosophical underpinnings of Booker T. Washington.

Marriage
While Tandy was attending the Tuskegee Institute he met a woman named Sadie Dorsette. She was the daughter of a Doctor who was "the first African American to pass the Alabama medical examination." Her father was a friend of Booker T. Washington, who groomed Tandy into "the schools most outstanding student in architecture." They had one son named Vertner Woodson Tandy Jr.