Department of African and African American Studies, Stanford University
A longstanding program newly elevated to departmental status, the Stanford Department of African and African American Studies (DAAAS) comes together in a new home on the historic main quad. The interior renovation supports its students and faculty in education, research, and community-building.
The DAAAS space is designed to foster a sense of community and belonging among its diverse users, including faculty, staff, and students. The design invites lingering and serendipitous interactions. By recognizing the unique journeys of its users, the architecture weaves together their stories to create a welcoming environment that supports both collective and individual flourishing.
Architecturally, the concept of weaving is expressed through design strategies and materials that harmonize the historic elements of the existing building with contemporary additions. Frequent department meetings guided the design direction, complemented by physical models and digital animations developed by LMSA to help stakeholders envision the space and its future experiences.
