African American Museum and Cultural Center of New Mexico

State of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque | Albuquerque, NM

Project Description
Schematic Design and Framework Plan of a 56,000sf African American Museum.

Design Team
Formative Architecture, Ideum, and Eric Spurlock

The style pulls from the vernacular of the southwest and African cultures ultimately seeking an easily recognizable and iconic form.

The rich history of Black influence in New Mexico spans nearly 500 years and is a story that is rooted in strength, tradition, pride, creativity, ingenuity, and resilience. The African American Museum and Cultural Center of NM was established in 2002 and has since worked toward the goal of a permanent location. The Museum has partnered with the State of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque to pursue funding for a new facility on par with other institutions across the country.

Formative Architecture partnered with an interpretive concept development consultant Ideum and Eric Spurlock, who served as a cultural advisor and subject matter expert, to develop a detailed framework plan and schematic design package. Recognizing the importance of authentic representation, the team sought Eric’s leadership to ensure the project reflected and respected the cultural significance of the African American experience.

The design team began with an in-depth research and design process that included interviews, precedent studies, and site visits to leading African American museums across the country. A community workshop was held in the spring of 2024 where over thirty participants discussed goals, inspiration, and shared their own stories relevant to New Mexico’s African American community. Drawing from these insights, they developed several design schemes. With feedback and collaboration from the client, the final design was selected, incorporating spaces for the performing arts, rental use, classrooms, children’s galleries, fine art and history galleries, a café, and outdoor gardens. The resulting work was designed to support and inspire future fundraising efforts.

The style pulls from the vernacular of the southwest and African cultures ultimately seeking an easily recognizable and iconic form. A large copper performing arts space sits front and center atop four geometric galleries.

The large site promotes community engagement with an interactive public “Art Berm” and amphitheater. The generous lobby, identified as “Celebration Hall”, features interactive and programmable exhibits.