How might a building celebrate a legacy of social justice?

The MLK Jr. Library in Cleveland was planned to be demolished to make way for a new large-scale development, and the Library conducted a design competition for a new building to house both the library and the Anisfield-Wolf book award collection.

Our team worked with the artist Hank Willis Thomas to propose a design based around a deconstructed quilt pattern, taking inspiration from traditional quilts crafted over generations in the black community. The quilt patterns were interpreted into colorful stained glass patterns along the facade that would glow brilliantly at night.

Our design proposed a generous courtyard and sculpture garden, and a double-height interior tower structure to showcase the Anisfield-Wolf collection, with digitally embedded quotes running its length.

Credit: MASS Design Group