THE AFRICA CENTER

Location: New York, NY
Date of Completion: 2018
Program: Cultural Institution
Size: 70,000 square foot

The Center is a global institution providing space to engage with contemporary Africa, through exhibitions, conferences, performances, screenings, lectures, diplomatic and business meetings, and more.

The atrium is composed of materials in a palette of incandescent whites, varying in translucence and opacity. This light-filled space is fluid, energetic and open to encounters. At night, the light sources behind the mesh walls and bridges create a soft glow. Powerful in scale, the Atrium floats and welcomes visitors to experience a multiplicity of unexpected representations of contemporary Africa to be discovered in all the Center’s spaces.

This interior project offers public spaces from the ground floor to the third floor. The main Atrium lobby is the heart of the Center, with bridges connecting the windows that look onto Central Park and the interior program spaces. Rotating art installations, food carts and a café welcome the public in this space. This space is one of the largest free, publicly accessible cultural venues in New York City. The Second Floor features the gallery spaces and theatre. These spaces are designed to accommodate a wide variety of usages and programming.

The galleries echo the floating white glow of the atrium and are fully equipped to support all contemporary exhibition and digital AV/IT needs. The Third Floor houses the headquarters of The Institute at The Africa Center, a global business and policy center. Here, policymakers, executives, diplomats and friends will have a dedicated space to convene. This floor also features the dining room and demonstration kitchen, and the exterior Central Park Terrace, showcasing stunning views of Central Park and New York City.

Building designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP
Interior space and terrace designed by Caples Jefferson Architects