Introduction: This multi-site Idea Competition seeks architectural concepts using African design principles, creative placemaking and world-class destination planning. Winning designs should: honor the Africatown story; anchor current and future redevelopment plans; preserve Africatown’s unique cultural identity; and spark community economic revitalization.
Summary: The Africatown International Design Idea Competition’s 16-member jury panel (8 design professionals, 8 local leaders and professionals) is headed by Jack Travis, FAIA NOMAC. The architect, author and educator deeply explores Afri-cultural mores, specializing in architecture and interiors fused with African iconography. He founded The Studio for Afrofuturism in Architecture and Design. He runs workshops on Afrocentric design themes and on black communities, with a focus on social directives.
What once was an African town– is now an African/American descendant neighborhood-a truly unique American settlement, in poor repair threatened by generations of benign neglect…
Since the Alabama Historic Commission’s sensational announcement in May 2019 that Clotilda, the last known slave ship, was discovered in Mobile River delta, this 160 year old historic settlement was “rediscovered.” Now, Africatown is an important CULTURAL heritage site whose cultural assets must be saved just as much as the remnants of the slave ship. Descendants of the Clotilda Africans and Africatown residents hope the Clotilda Discovery leads to the kind of cultural heritage tourism that becomes a major driver of economic activity and spurs the regeneration of their historic community.
Read more about this competition on its official website here!
