DefiningaResidentialArchitecturalLanguagefor ContemporaryAfricanAmericansLivingin
Gainesville,Alabama
RodneyshaRuffin
TheLargerContext
Where?
Uniontown,ALUniontown,AL
ImageSource:https://www.theguardian.com/usnews/2019/apr/15/were-not-a-dump-poor-alabama-townsstruggle-under-the-stench-of-toxic-landfills
ImageSource:https://www.ruralswalabama.org/attraction/themagnolia-home-1845/
LowndesCounty,AL
ImageSource: https://www.planetizen.com/news/2020/11/11127 4-legacy-structural-poverty-alabama
ImageSource:https://www.theguardian.com/usnews/2019/apr/15/were-not-a-dump-poor-alabamatowns-struggle-under-the-stench-of-toxic-landfills
ImageSource: https://www.ruralswalabama.org/attraction/gainesville-bankgainesville-al/
ImageSource: https://www.ruralswalabama.org/attraction/clark-chapelunited-methodist-church-gainesville-al/
TheMagnoliaHome(builtcirca1845)OldGainesvilleBank(builtcirca1845) ClarkChapelUnitedMethodistChurch ArchitectureFoundinAfricanAmericanNeighborhoodsinSumterCounty ArchitectureFoundinGainesville,AL
Smallwindow= notalotof naturallight
Whatdoesitlooklike?
Currentdesign doesn’tallowfor cook+entertain combo
Smallporch; doesn’tfeellike anextensionof home
Kitcheninsufficient accommodatemultiple peoplecooking
Living& entertainingspace notsufficientfor largegatherings
Privatesleeping areasareoften designedsmall
Notalotof openspaceto hostgatherings
Smallwindow= notalotof naturallight
Lackof space/areathat serveas exterior/interior extension
Nouseoflocal materials.
Trailer Home Model Shotgun House ModelTheClaim+Rationale
Whyahouse?
Whatmakesahousea home?
Whatbecomesthe heartofthehome?
Fellowshipdriven spaces
CaseStudiesThatInfluencedDesign
CaseStudy1:AlabamaRibShack
Location:Gainesville,AL
Owner:JamieLeeMitchell
Architect:JamieLeeMitchell
YearofConstruction:2021
CaseStudy2:CenterforCivilandHumanRights
Location:Atlanta,Georgia
Client:CityofAtlanta
Architect:Perkins&Will
YearofConstruction:2011
PhaseI: Symbolism
PhaseII: InteriorSpaces+ HumanActivity
ResearchPlan
PhaseIII: Gardens+Yards
PhaseIV: InteriorQuality& ExteriorMateriality
2weeks3weeks1week2weeks
Total:8weeks
Kujichagulia (Self Determination)
Phase1:Symbolism+Form
Ujima (Collective Responsibility)
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Nia (Purpose)
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani
Umoja (Unity)
(Faith)
Phase1:Symbolism+Form
Phase2:InteriorSpaces+HumanActivity:ThemeI
A.CoveredPorchIterationB.OpenTerraceIteration
Phase2:InteriorSpaces+HumanActivity:ThemeI
TransverseSection
C.SunroomIterationPhase2:InteriorSpaces+HumanActivity:ThemeII
A.DuplexIteration
B.TriplexIteration
Phase2:InteriorSpaces+HumanActivity:ThemeII LongitudinalSection C.Duplexw/SharedLivingSpace
Phase2:InteriorSpaces+HumanActivity:ThemeIII A.WrapAroundPorchIterationB.WrapAroundSunroomIteration
Phase2:InteriorSpaces+HumanActivity:ThemeIII
C.WrapAroundPorch+ScreenedInPorch TypicalSecondFloorPlan
Phase3:Gardens+Yards
Context:300’x400’blocklocatedin
GainesvilleHistoricDistrict
SharedLandfor FutureConstruction
Phase3:Gardens+Yards
PublicYard
Garden
PrivateYard
Verbenas
Lilies
FourO'clock’s
Phase3:Gardens+Yards
PublicYard
PrivateYard
Garden
Petunias
FourO’Clock's
Phase3:Gardens+Yards
PrivateYard
PublicYard
PublicYard
Garden
Roses
Petunias
FourO’Clock’s
Phase4-InteriorQualityandExteriorMateriality:ThemeI
Phase4-InteriorQualityandExteriorMateriality:ThemeII
Phase4-InteriorQualityandExteriorMateriality:ThemeIII
RelevantFindingsThroughResearch
