Danjuma African Art Center
An African Art Collection housed in a space inspired by Sub-Saharan architecture.
Sharing Sub-Saharan art
On a mission to share its extensive African Art collection with the public, Lincoln University decided to transform one of its under-utilized buildings into a gallery, inspired by the art it would house.
Design inspired by Sub-Saharan architecture
In researching Sub-Saharan architecture, we noticed that they would thicken the walls to elongate the threshold between rooms.
The purpose of this elongated threshold was to allow for their body to pause while their spirit transitioned to the purpose of the next room.
Space to transition, reflect
In an art gallery, time to reflect on what one has experienced is necessary—this dovetailed perfectly with the desire to allow the spirit to transition between rooms. We incorporated this idea by building elongated thresholds (called “portals”) between each gallery, creating both physical and spiritual distance between rooms and, offering the visitor time to reflect.
Planning with the future in mind
When designing the stair, we considered the University’s future plans to build a sculpture garden outside the center.
A person entering the stair from the galleries is confronted with a glass wall with views out over the space where the sculpture garden is planned.
Danjuma African Art Center - Gallery
