Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture

Frank Ernest DeBolt IV AIA, CDT, LEED AP BD+C

2012 Urban Land Institute Global Award for Excellence 2011 Metal Construction Association Chairman’s Award | Institutional Category 2010 AIA North Carolina Honor Award 2007 AIA Triangle Honor Award - Unbuilt Category 2007 AIA North Carolina Honor Award – Unbuilt Category

Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture Charlotte, North Carolina Role: Project Manager / Designer / Construction Administration Firm: Neighboring Concepts

AFRO-AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER | Charlotte, North Carolina

The Afro-American Cultural Center (AACC) is a 45,940 square foot facility located in Uptown Charlotte. The new AACC will be part of a mixed-use development undertaken by Childress Klein Properties for Wachovia Bank. The total Wachovia mixed-use project will include a high-rise ofďŹ ce building, mid/high-rise residential building, retail stores at the street level, the Wake Forest School of Business, the Bechtler Art Museum, a 1200-Seat Performing Arts Theater, the Mint Museum and an underground parking garage with loading dock.

SITE : Charlotte, NC

BECHTLER MUSEUM THEATER

W. STONEWA LL STREET

GREEN/PLAZA SPACE

S. COLLEGE STREE

OFFICE TOWER RETAIL

T

MINT MUSEUM

S. TRYON STREE T

S. CHURCH STREET

W. 1ST STREET CONDO TOWER

CHARLOTTE CONVENTION CENTER

AACC E. STONEWALL STREET

WESTIN HOTEL

PLAN : site

PLAN : ground level (lobbies/bookstore/automibile access/service access)

PLAN : service level

The new AACC will be located on a narrow 50’ wide by 400’ long portion of the larger development between South Tryon Street and South College Street, fronting Stonewall Street. It will have entrances into its lobby from both South Tryon and College Streets.

One of two main vehicular access points to the central underground parking for the entire development bisects the AACC site at street level. This constraint/opportunity was a major factor in the placement of dual entries at opposite ends of the building and the establishment of “Jacob’s Ladder” leading to the second floor lobby. The subsurface activity and exaggerated linear configuration of the site also offered a great opportunity for the building to express the dynamic nature of the clients’ program.

From an historical perspective, the site is part of what was once the Brooklyn neighborhood - a vibrant African American community that was slowly displaced by “Urban Renewal” in the 1960’s.

PLAN : fourth level (public terrace/ofďŹ ces)

PLAN : third level (gallery/lobby/gallery)

PLAN : second level (multi-purpose space/lobby/gallery/classroom)

Historical photograph of Jacobs Ladder School from the Brooklyn neighborhood of historic Charlotte.

DIAGRAM : concept

ELEVATIONS : south + west

Escalator and Public stair to level two lobby and multistory space are inspired by “Jacobs Ladder” metaphor.

Ascension to roof becomes metaphor for rising above all obstacles.

“Jacobs Ladder” geometry extruded across façade begins formation of the quilting patterns.

Vertical stitching identifies edges of quilt panels and defines the geometry of the façade. Cutout reveals the vertical atrium space were ascension occurs.

Vertical stitching identifies edges of quilt panels and defines the geometry of the façade. Cutout reveals the vertical atrium space were ascension occurs.

DIAGRAM : concept

ELEVATIONS : east + north

Vertical and horizontal stitching pattern is carried around to the north elevation of the building as a remnant of the south.

Integrated lighting gives the north façade a poetic presence to downtown Charlotte. The concrete substructure of the façade is revealed.

Paintings by the Mbuti people, who live in the Ituri rainforest of northeastern Zaire, serve as inspiration for the concrete patterning. The Mbuti people are famed for their rich and extraordinary arts.

Freeform parallel lines and random dot patterns characterize the motifs found in many of the patterns. Earth tone colors of sepia, umber and copper also distinguish the drawings.

DIAGRAM : exploded axonometric

Section and Plan diagrams identify the layering from south to north of the primary building materials.

The red inner layer, conceived as meandering and free owing, binds the concrete half with the perforated metal half and becomes the signature form of the interior. The building whole is then shrink wrapped with the quilting net of the façades.

DIAGRAMS : folding plane concept for interior - plan + section

SECTIONS : east/west + north/south

SECTION : site

RENDERING : view from Stonewall Street + College Street intersection

RENDERING : view from Stonewall Street + Tryon Street intersection

RENDERING : view from Tryon Street + W. 1st Street intersection

PROCESS : early sections

PROCESS : early elevation

PROCESS : perspective view + sketch of northeast corner