AUBURN AVENUE RESEARCH LIBRARY
CONTAINER / CONTAINED: Phil Freelon: Design Strategies for Telling African American Stories
CONTAINER / CONTAINED:
Phil Freelon: Design Strategies for Telling African American Stories
Exhibition Dates: March - June 2025
About the Exhibition
The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History proudly presents "CONTAINER / CONTAINED: Phil Freelon: Design Strategies for Telling African American Stories," a compelling exhibition celebrating the visionary work of one of America's most influential architects.
Philip G. Freelon (1953-2019) built an extraordinary four-decade career designing public buildings that transformed communities and reimagined how architecture could elevate cultural narratives. This exhibition critically examines Freelon's libraries, museums, and civic spaces with special emphasis on projects that foreground African American culture, communities, and identities.
About Phil Freelon
(1953-2019)
Philip Goodwin Freelon was one of America's most influential architects whose work celebrated African American culture and history through innovative design. Born in Philadelphia in 1953, Freelon earned his Bachelor of Environmental Design from North Carolina State University and his Master of Architecture from MIT.
As founding principal of The Freelon Group (later acquired by Perkins+Will), Freelon dedicated his career to creating meaningful public spaces. His architectural philosophy emphasized that buildings should not merely be containers but active participants in storytelling. This vision manifested in numerous cultural institutions, libraries, and museums across the United States.
Freelon gained national recognition as the lead architect for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. His other notable works include the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco, and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore.
In addition to his architectural practice, Freelon served as a professor at MIT and North Carolina State University, mentoring the next generation of architects. He received numerous accolades throughout his career, including appointment to the National Commission of Fine Arts by President Obama in 2011.
Freelon's legacy extends beyond his buildings. After being diagnosed with ALS in 2016, he established the Freelon Foundation to support research for the disease. He passed away in July 2019, leaving behind an extraordinary body of work that continues to inspire and educate through its thoughtful integration of form, function, and cultural narrative.
Freelon's Vision
Throughout his career, Freelon advocated that architecture should transcend its role as a mere container—instead becoming an integral element in storytelling and cultural expression. His innovative designs demonstrate how physical spaces can embody and communicate the stories, histories, and identities of African American communities.
Atlanta Connections
The exhibition highlights two significant Atlanta projects that exemplify Freelon's philosophy:
- The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (2014) - A powerful architectural statement that symbolizes the joining of hands in the struggle for equality
- The Auburn Avenue Research Library Renovation and Expansion (2016) - Our very own transformed space, designed to honor and preserve African American heritage while creating a modern research environment
Atlanta Connections
Visitors will explore drawings, models, photographs, and interactive displays showcasing Freelon's design process and completed works. The exhibition offers insight into how Freelon's architectural vision helped create spaces that honor, preserve, and celebrate African American stories.
Exhibition Information
- Dates: March - June 2025
- Location: Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
- Admission: Free and open to the public
- Hours: [Library hours]
Join us in celebrating the extraordinary legacy of Phil Freelon, whose architectural genius continues to inspire and shape how we experience cultural spaces.
