Organized as a welcoming crossroads for convening, the 10,000 sf Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College is designed to support the Center's important mission and work in multiple ways. Upon completion, it will be the world's first purpose-built structure for social justice leadership development: a study, meeting, and event space where students, faculty, visiting scholars, social justice leaders, and members of the public will come together to engage in conversation and activities aimed at creating a more just world.

The Center is sited to engage its three immediate contexts—the college campus, a residential neighborhood, and an old-growth grove of trees—by drawing their topography into the building and outwardly projecting the activities taking place within through transparent façades.

The gently curving walls connecting these façades are constructed with wood masonry, a low-carbon, highly insulating building method traditional to the surrounding region, updated by Studio Gang to respond to the needs of a contemporary institutional building for the first time.

All Images © Studio Gang Architects

Projects Facts

Location:Kalamazoo / Michigan / USA

Architect:Studio Gang Architects

Owner:Kalamazoo College

Status:Under Construction; Anticipated Completion 2014

Leed Rating:Targeted Gold

> via Studio Gang Architects