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Creative Sources Photography / Case Study
“At a high level, our challenge as we saw it, was how to represent attributes of people: strength, honor, courage, and valor, in a dignified and meaningful way, that promoted a sense of longevity and architectural permanence. Our design addressed this challenge with a sensitivity to neighborhood, history, opportunity, and inspiration. Working with Rion Rizzo and the Creative Sources team as partners, Rion captured imagery which embodies the essence of our design vision, and promotes the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.”
Young Charles E. McGee from Cleveland, Ohio turned 22 years old on the day the US entered World War II. His path of military service through flight school and as a career officer in the United States Air Force would culminate in his being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, and his ceremonial appointment as a Brigadier General at the age of 100. McGee was a long-time member of the Tuskegee Airmen, and offers this insight:
“The Tuskegee Airmen are black pilots, mechanics, and support people, who, when our country declared war against Hitler, came forward and dispelled the biases and generalizations that, because of the color of our skin, we couldn’t support our country in the technical areas…”
– Brigadier General Charles E. McGee
The spirit of the Tuskegee Airmen proved to be an inspiration to the design team at DLR Group, as they sought to design a unique neighborhood learning environment for Pre-K through 5th grade students in southwest Atlanta. The proximity of this site on the edge of a sizeable residential community influenced the design team’s approach toward the design of the new 107,000 ft2 school, whose primary focus for the 800 students is on STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics).
“At the outset of this project, our design team didn’t have to look very hard to find inspiration to honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. We focused on creating a walkable neighborhood school, prominently visible to passersby, and respectful of its surroundings, that would become a prideful, joyful, and forward-looking community asset.”
– Sandy Cooper | Principal | DLR Group | Collins Cooper Carusi
The relationship of the school to the neighborhood is an integral link which is echoed throughout the design.
“A new school is always a shot in the arm for the neighborhood, it’s given the neighborhood something they can be proud of, something that does really honor the history of Tuskegee. Once we went through the design process, we made efforts to reach back and reach forward, and knit it all together in brick and mortar.”
– Jere Smith – Atlanta Public Schools | Director of Capital Improvements & Construction Management
The duality of the “reach back and reach forward” design philosophy is evident throughout the building and the spaces. Material selection nods to the technological history of flight, and the structures of Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, where the Airmen were stationed. Brick & block building materials, X-brace struts, and corrugated metal components have been reimagined in a facility designed for today and tomorrow.
“One of the coolest features, that was brought to us by our landscape architect, is the runway pattern that we used in the sidewalk leading up to it, so that you really get the feel that you’re getting into a machine that holds all of this STEAM-based learning and these exciting lab spaces.”
– Brett Norton | Architect | DLR Group | Collins Cooper Carusi
The DLR Group | Collins Cooper Carusi team reflects on the cohesive timeline of the project whose arc encompasses past, present, and future…
“As we think back on the beginnings of this project, what we learned, and how we articulated these ideas architecturally, one can’t help but be elated to design a building honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, some of our country’s finest men. We hope they, Atlanta Public Schools, and the thousands of students who will enjoy this new home for years to come, are equally proud of what they see.”
– Sandy Cooper | Principal | DLR Group | Collins Cooper Carusi
DLR Group | Collins Cooper Carusi teamed with JE Dunn Construction on the Tuskegee Airmen Global Academy. Creative Sources Photography’s experienced, award-winning creative team of Atlanta Architectural Photographers is here to collaborate on your next project, from concept and planning, to final image results.
