University Cultural Center Entry Redesign

This university’s cultural center introduces three new canopies that support both everyday use and programmed events across key outdoor spaces. At the upper terrace, two canopies frame existing masonry enclosures, providing shade and weather protection for informal student gathering and event use. At the lower amphitheater, a third canopy spans the building entrance, offering shelter during performances and daily circulation. Across all interventions, material, color, and pattern are carefully considered to extend the cultural language of the existing building—drawing from its established motifs to reinforce identity while introducing a contemporary layer of use and performance.

Location
Maryland

Patterning draws on Adinkra symbols from Ghana, referencing and reinterpreting the existing building’s brick patterning inspiration.

GriD took the opportunity of the awnings’ implementation to speculate about the future of a cultural center in a higher-education environment.

EXISTING