The National African American Cultural Center of Harrisburg
The National African American Cultural Center in Harrisburg (NAACC) will be a unique blend of museum and exhibitry elements, educational facilities, entertainment venues and cultural offerings along with all of the support functions required to deliver this diverse mix of program elements. The design of the NAACC must reflect the history and character of Harrisburg's African Americans that is suggested in the existing historical structures which currently occoup the chosen site. We believe that the Center should also be a beacon signalling the resurgence of Midtown Harrisburg as a destination.
Why Third Street?
- The portion of 3rd Street surronding the site is one of the most important retail corridors in Harrisburg.
- The Broad Street Market and its activity is located directly across the street from the site.
- The two existing buildings located on this site both provide unique opportunities to celebrate the history of Harrisburg while accommodating a piece of its future
- Locating a roof terrace at this location would provide excellent views of the city and the river, due to its central location
- The site provides a main entry on 3rd Street, between the two existing structures
What Will it Look Like?
We will create a skylitgrand arcade between the Furlow Building and the Historic Harrisburg Association (HHA) building through which visitors will enter the center and circulate to the various programs and functions. The National African American Cultural Center of Harrisburg (NAACC) will house major exhibits, taking advantage of the existing overhead skylight which will run the length of the building. The first level of the NAACC will accomodate the gift shop, cafe, restaurant, and other shared functions which will benefit from their location adjacent to the skylit grand arcades.
Additional gallery/exhibit space, support and administrative areas would be located in a newly constructed tower addition to the rear of the site. Rooftop terraces will be incorporated in the tower which will allow for the staging of exterior rooftop events with elevated views of the city.
The glass atrium connects the two existing structures while the tower addition creates a building mass which brings balance to the architectural composition. The copper cladding of the HHA roof is carried through to the exterior of the new tower.
Features of the National African American Cultural Center in Harrisburg
Education
We envision the NAACC as an educational resource. Therefore, all elements of the project and its architecutral design, should support and enhance the learning experience of each and every visitor. The gift shop and especially the entry sequence offer opportunities to engage and enlighten the visitor. We believe education can be both entertaining and fun, and that every student in the greater Harrisburg area (and perhaps beyond) should visit the Center.
Technology
The use of technology is another important consideration as relates to education and entertainment, especially for the younger audience. However, the use of electronics and gadgetry for its own sake would be ill-advised. The technology which drives experiential, interactive, or immersive environments should be transparent with the emphasis placed on the message and the experience itself.
Flexibility is an underlying theme that affects all aspects of this design of the Center. Future changes in program, advancements in technology, and the natural evolution of NAACC suggest a building design that can accommodate a certain amount of space and/or program re-allocation. Furthermore, the primary and secondary spaces in the Center should be designed to accommodate multiple functions, thus providing flexibility in scheduling of events and programs. The goal is to get more use out of less building which will save construction dollars while maximizing efficiency.
Revenue Generation
We believe that the museum should maximize opportunities for revenue-generating activities in the program spaces. This can be accomplished by not only providing the apporpriate venues in the building, but by creating a distinctive design statement that signals the establishment of a new landmark in Harrisburg. The museum should be in a position to sustain itself and establish financial viability in the community. This approach would reduce or eliminate the need for public funding (operations) from the city, county and state. Examples of revenue-generating activities could include:
- Restaurant
- Cafe
- Jazz Club
- Book/gift store
- Rentals for social functions
- Lectures/symposia
- Dance performances
- Theatre presentations
- Musical performances
Public Space
The restuarant, gift shop, and possibly other retail spaces should be arranged around a main public space so that visitors can have easy access to these areas and activities such as seating for the restaurant that can flow out into the main circulation space. This arrangement will add life and vitality to the main gathering space by extending these functions out into the museum lobby.
Exhibits
After architect selection, an exhibit design consultant will be engaged. We believe it is important for the users and operators of the Center's museum to be fully involved in the research, review of proposals, and ultimate selection of the exhibit designer. We also believe that the museum's program must be substantially developed prior to the start of any exhibit design work. The mission and vision of the NAACC must be brought into focus and clearly communicated, so that the exhibits will reflect the true goals of the institution.
About The Freelon Group
The Freelon Group, based in Charlotte, NC, has the capability and experience to deliver a world class National African American Cultural Center in the City of Harrisburg. The Freelon Group has been recognized for design excellence with over twenty design awards. They have proven experience designing cultural centers with African American themes in Baltimore, San Francisco, Philadelphia.
What Do You Think?
Share your thoughts on the Discussion Board!
All images contaied in this article are used with permission, and shall not be reproduced without the expressed consent of the National African American Cultural Center Board.