African Canopy for Utica Station

Students spent time researching the work and writing done by Coles during his career and found two prominent influences in his work. These influences were the Modernist style and traditional African motifs. Coles traveled to Africa several times in search of inspiration for his work, as reflected by the minimalist character of his designs at the Utica Street Station, as well as in the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Branch Library on Buffalo’s East Side. Cole’s approach to blending Modernism and traditional African motifs became the dialogue for students when approaching their design proposals. Teams of two students worked together in crafting a proposal for a permanent canopy installation at the station that would honor Coles and his work. Students were encouraged to consider the architect’s heritage, which aligns with many of the local residents who use the space. Students used many precedents that would help to accentuate the hybridization of Coles’ work by introducing concepts from African American quilts, African mud cloths, cultural symbols and other motifs. For the studio’s midterm reviews, student teams presented their proposals to the NFTA, who selected the project Loom Lane to be further developed by team leaders Nicholas Gatsos and Christa Trautman. Loom Lane drew its inspirations from two specific objects, the Zulu Isicholo and the peacock chair. The Zulu Isicholo not only has a direct relationship to Africa but also has reappeared several times in African American culture. The peacock chair, although manufactured in Asia, is a strong symbol of Black pride and resistance to injustice in African American culture. 

Textile patterns chosen by the team were an attempt to reference the Kuba traditions, the denim quilts of Gee’s Bend Alabama and the many blue-collar workers of Buffalo. The team split in directing quarter scale mockups of their designs, to help understand the effort and cost of fabricating the full installation. One of the teams worked to investigate different weaving patterns for the installation piece at the foyer. The other team collaborated on a mockup of different fabric patterns and metal mockups that could be tension-fitted to the existing waffle grid ceiling and serviced when needed. Both teams worked together to face challenges of constant vibrations within the station and connections that were minimally invasive to the existing structure. Together they produced the mockups for the NFTA that will help to honor the life of Robert Traynham Coles. Modifications have been made to begin the commemorative process with the addition of new signage to the building in January 2022

Students
Aleiya Als, Rocco Battista, Katelyn Broat, Deron Charlery, Haley Davis, Nicholas Gatsos, Denice Guillermo, Danielle Kwong, John Lauder, Joseph Privitera, Edinam Segbefia, Taylor Stewart, Christa Trautman, Courtney Vona

Faculty
Charles Davis II

Term
ARC 606, Inclusive Design, Spring 2021

Program
MArch