University of Florida Institute of Black Culture and Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures

Design Foundations in Cultural Identities

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Project Location

Gainesville, FL

Client

University of Florida

Area

13,200 SF

Services

Programming, architecture, interiors, experiential graphic design

The University of Florida entrusted us to design the new Institute of Black Culture and Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures, or La Casita. Our designs reflect the unique cultures housed within each building. La Casita represents the rich colors and textures typical of Hispanic-Latino cultures, while the IBC represents a symbol of social justice that looks towards the future.

Both buildings total 13,230 SF and include offices, event spaces, study rooms, a warming kitchen, and social spaces. The project was delivered using the construction manager at risk method and is designed to achieve LEED v4 Gold. Under LEED v4, the project has achieved notable pilot credits such as Social Equity within the Community, and Bird Collision Deterrence. Energy use intensity for both IBC and La Casita was reduced by 65% and 64% respectively over the baseline model, while potable water usage reduced by a total of 23.41%. We provided programming, architecture, interior design, and experiential graphic services on this project.

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Celebrating Cultural Keystones

How we helped students, alumni, and staff build consensus for the space priorities of these new buildings.

The Institute of Black Culture

The IBC concept draws from traditional African pottery to extract geometry in the rotunda, known as the Beacon, while exterior brick patterning exudes a unique symbolism for the organization representing their past, present, and future.

Off the main lobby with high tables and chairs, a room with flexible wall and chairs facing forward. More seats near windows

Curved stairs along window wall with geometric metal bannister curving along second floor balcony

Curved staircase along double height windows. Above, cylindrical white pendant lights, seating area at the base of the stairs

Seating area in lobby framed by white geometric panel of woven zigzags

Photo mural of Virgil Hawkins with name written in blue with 5 panels of information

Close up of Virgil Hawkins name and information panels on wall

Black and white mural of newspaper clippings and information labeled Black Thursday, The 1971 Sit-Ins and Campus Civil Rights

Pink mural with mural of lining drawing of a house on a grid pattern next to an orange wall and door

The Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures

La Casita’s concept centers around the “living room,” the heart of every home that brings students together in a comfortable, social atmosphere filled with colors and textures representative of their cultures. The exterior of La Casita is adorned with a palapa and other sun-shading canopies that pull patterns from flags of Hispanic and Latin American countries to create identifiable geometries of shade across the building.