The Reading Room

Our client's ultimate goal was to make Black dignity visible through history, empowerment, access to a wide variety of reading materials, and shared cultural and artistic programming.

Owned by a nonprofit whose goal is to have a positive impact in a multi-racial society – the project was funded entirely via donations, and it is located on the ground floor of a new affordable housing building in St. Paul. Communicating a message of inclusivity and perseverance, and anchored by the history of the Pullman Porters, the space incubates a sense of belonging and creates a connection between local labor history and modern civil rights issues.

Our design brought an end result of a space that speaks to a greater human experience, and to the ties that bind us together. By incorporating a mix of old an new elements, the work of local artisans, and Universal Design Principles, we were able to bring an incredibly important history to life, and connect it to a greater objective: ensuring Black dignity is upheld in the face of injustice – always.