ARCUS CENTER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE LEADERSHIP BY STUDIO GANG

Historically, convening for social justice has taken place in informal settings—a church basement, a living room, or even around a kitchen table.

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership brings these discussions up from the basement and 

squarely into public consciousness.

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

The Arcus Center works to develop emerging leaders and sustain existing leaders in the fields of human rights and social justice.

Photo © Iwan Baan

As a learning environment and meeting space, it brings together students, faculty, visiting scholars, social justice leaders, and members of the public for conversation and activities aimed at creating a more just world.

Photo © Iwan Baan

Supporting this important work, the center’s design is visually open and activated by daylight.

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

The plan encourages convening in configurations that begin to break down psychological and cultural barriers between people and help facilitate understanding.

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

The presence of a living room, hearth, and kitchen for sharing food at the center of the building creates the potential for frequent informal meetings and casual, chance encounters.

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

The wood masonry utilized for the building’s exterior is a low-tech and relatively inexpensive method of building assembly used to achieve a high-performance facade.

Photo © Iwan Baan

The wood walls sequester more carbon than was released in building them, responding to today’s need to reduce carbon pollution—one of many environmental issues embraced by social justice movements. Source by Studio Gang.

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
Architect: Studio Gang ArchitectsArea: 10000.0 ft2
Year: 2014
LEED Rating: Targeted LEED Gold
Owner: Kalamazoo CollegePhotographs: Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing, Iwan Baan

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

Photo © Iwan Baan

Photo © Iwan Baan

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing

Photo © Steve Hall for Hedrich Blessing