This studio focused on designing a museum for the study of racism in Oregon. The goal of this project was to recognize and teach about the racist history of Oregon. Instead of ignoring the past, the thought surrounding this program was to teach visitors to prevent repetition, and acknowledge the wrongness that once was.
The building for this project is located on 9th Ave & Couch St in downtown Portland. This existing building is located on a hill and inspired me to create an experience, rather than just a museum. The idea behind my design was to construct a long ramp through the space, zig-zagging guests along a timeline of Oregon's racist history. A ramp is used so that everyone travels the same, unnecessarily long trip up to the final space; the top floor art gallery, exhibiting local black artists. The intention of this program is to represent that although it has taken too long to get where we are in terms of equality, we can walk together to a place of celebration and unity.
