The Fort Reno Center for Black Music, Literature, & Culture
The Fort Reno Center for Black Music, Literature, and Culture is a visionary space designed to celebrate and preserve the rich history and contributions of Black artists, writers, and musicians. The center's architectural design draws inspiration from traditional Black architecture, incorporating sustainable materials like brick, warm-toned paints, and natural wood flooring to create an inviting and reflective atmosphere. With a focus on education, the center features multipurpose rooms, a library, classrooms, and recording studios, promoting learning and cultural production. It serves as a dynamic hub for the community to engage with Black culture and creativity.
The design process for the Fort Reno Center for Black Music, Literature, and Culture began with a thorough pre-design phase and site analysis. We selected three influential Black artists—Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, and Kendrick Lamar—to inform the centric art piece that would guide the overall building design. Each artist’s themes of growth, complexity, and cultural depth inspired the architecture, influencing spatial planning, materials, and the emotional resonance of the space. This integration of art and architecture grounds the center in a legacy of Black excellence and creativity.
BASEMENT
SECOND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR
ISOMETRIC
