Mary Lou Williams Center

Durham, NORTH CAROLINA

‘The Lou’ (as it is affectionately called by students) is a refuge for students often lacking community, voice, or platform. Inspired by the shared rhythm of the African Diaspora and the legacy of jazz composer Mary Lou Williams, this space celebrates the persistent cultural remnants uniting dispersed Africans. A central “drum” adorned with Adinkra-inspired patterning and echoes of the Diaspora anchors the communal area, complemented by intimate spaces for personal reflection. Drawing from Charleston’s Gullah Geechee heritage, the Center’s design, with its Haint Blue palette, fosters comfort, healing, and a sense of home, creating a sanctuary for collective celebration and remembrance.

Program
Education

Status
Complete

Awards + Recognitions

2026
wORLD ARCHITECTURE NEWS - FINALIST
aDAPTIVE REUSE - sMALL

2025
aia Triangle - merit award
Small Projects

2024
AIA aspire - design award
Interior architecture

Credits

“Anything you are shows up in your music - jazz is whatever you are, playing yourself, being yourself, letting your thoughts come through.”
- Mary Lou Williams

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Durham, NC