Design defines and shapes cultural identity, communities, and celebrates historical narratives.
The Central District was a predominantly Black neighborhood and a hub for the Black diaspora community in Seattle. Today, cost of living and gentrification have led many Black families to move out of the Central District and raised fears that the neighborhood’s cultural identity may soon be forgotten. Today, Seattle’s Black population has dipped to 6.8%. Taking into account the Central District’s historical and cultural significance and the local community, Revelations reclaims the legacy of Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean, and the Black Diaspora to the PNW. Through art, design, identity, and history via spatial experiences, visual story-telling and social interactions within the built environment, Revelations is a fully immersive bar, community space and museum celebrating Black Identity and provides a safe space to be us. Based on the design qualifiers of intersection, solid/void, and repetition, the space is multi-generational, layered with texture, color, life and American history. Our identities begin to take shape in our homes. Simultaneously, we are most ourselves in the confines of the walls that make up that safe space. Revelations is inspired by the spaces and movements we are most familiar with, our home.
Natalie Marzouka-Gould
The Central District was a predominantly Black neighborhood and a hub for the Black diaspora community in Seattle. Today, cost of living and gentrification have led many Black families to move out of the Central District and raised fears that the neighborhood’s cultural identity may soon be forgotten. Today, Seattle’s Black population has dipped to 6.8%. Taking into account the Central District’s historical and cultural significance and the local community, Revelations reclaims the legacy of Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean, and the Black Diaspora to the PNW. Through art, design, identity, and history via spatial experiences, visual story-telling and social interactions within the built environment, Revelations is a fully immersive bar, community space and museum celebrating Black Identity and provides a safe space to be us. Based on the design qualifiers of intersection, solid/void, and repetition, the space is multi-generational, layered with texture, color, life and American history. Our identities begin to take shape in our homes. Simultaneously, we are most ourselves in the confines of the walls that make up that safe space. Revelations is inspired by the spaces and movements we are most familiar with, our home.
Natalie Marzouka-Gould
People thrive in spaces where they feel safe and comfortable. Many experience comfort in different ways. Some prosper in open public spaces where they interact with others, while some thrive in quiet seclusion. The Georgetown library seeks to explore the ways to bring people together while giving both feelings of comfort and safety by utilizing several means of contrasts within spaces to support the idea of public and private. With a dual purpose as both a library & community center, the Georgetown Connection seeks to embody the intent as it is both for public and private use. As an important marker in a town, people come to libraries for shelter and community. Contrasts between spaces create distinctions between public gathering areas and quiet spots of seclusion. Creating transformative spaces that contrast, this project aims to bring the community together through the design qualifiers: Conceal/Reveal, Layering, and Scale.
Tatiana Buckeye
Tatiana Buckeye
Last Updated August 7, 2024