Inclusive Design Lab: Exploring Atlanta’s Queer Spaces
September 29, 2023 | Voices.002
This semester at Kennesaw State University’s College of Architecture and Construction Management, 5th Year B.Arch students are exploring queerness in architecture through research and documentation of LGBTQ+ spaces in Atlanta, GA. Partnering with Shamrock+, an architectural imaging company, students are taking 3D scans of queer spaces to document their history and analyze the architectural features that make them queer. The students are then partnering with the City of Atlanta’s Division of LGBTQ+ Affairs to develop concepts and programs for an LGBTQ+ Center in Atlanta. In a special series for Pride By Design, we will be following the studio’s progress and telling their stories.
Photo collage of Mary’s Bar in East Atlanta Village, Atlanta GA. Collage by Tiffany Belmonte
Over the past month, the Inclusive Design Lab as been busy documenting any analyzing queer spaces across Atlanta. We have successfully captured 5 different queer spaces using Matterport scanners, creating digital twins of the spaces. Using these digital twins, we studied the spaces and started to understand elements that may signify queer space or help us define queer space. Whether it’s through images celebrating the queer gaze, or creating safe and comfortable spaces for community building, or both, these spaces define queerness in Atlanta through their use of program, material, and relationship to the body. Together we scanned five different locations from bars to book stores, and we are excited to share our results.
Charis Books and More | Decatur, GA
A feminist, queer, independent bookstore located in a suburb of Atlanta, Charis Books and More serves as a meeting place for queer writers and artists across the south east. Charis serves as the official bookstore of Agnes Scott College and prides itself on it’s unabashedly feminist, inclusive, and queer culture. Beyond books, its large meeting room (or living room as it’s known) serves BIPOC, queer, and trans friendly organizations. It supports the community by giving back and lending its space to those in need. Take a walk around the space using the scan above to see how Charis books uses it’s space to uplift the community. Images and documentation by Nia Lankford and Yevguenni Marseille.
Mary’s East Atlanta | Atlanta, GA
Mary’s East Atlanta is known as “America’s favorite gay bar”, and we can say for certain that it is definitely one of Atlanta’s best places to hang out and have a drink. The bar is tucked into a row of early 1900’s storefronts hiding the fantastical interior from the street. Utilizing the narrow shop footprint, Mary’s uses every square foot to create a space that forces interaction, transforms into a performance stage, and allow for more intimate conversations. All while maintaining a fun and pretentious-less atmosphere. Check out the space in the scan above and drawings and diagrams below, done by Tiffany Belmonte, Ty Lawrence, and Jacob Powell.
OutFront Theatre Company | Atlanta, GA
The home of Atlanta Queer Theater, OutFront is the destination for live events, world premier shows, and everything gay on stage. While a visitor may only see the unique shared lobby and stage, the space really unfolds back stage. Part workshop, part dressing room, part museum of past productions, the back of house explodes with color, vibrancy and queerness. Exploring the artifacts, sets, and history is an amazing way to experience queer joy and what makes OutFront Theatre Company a vital part of Atlanta’s Queer Scene. Diagrams and drawings by An Nguyen, Isabel Hunt, and Ashley Maloney.
Bulldogs | Atlanta, GA
Serving Atlanta’s African-American gay men, Bulldog’s has become a staple Atlanta’s nightlife. Creating a safe space, that is known for amazing parties and it’s generous outdoor patio, Bulldog’s is unique and specifically Atlantan. With a rich history as Atlanta’s oldest gay bar that has operated in the same location since the 1960’s, Bulldog’s is one of the reasons Atlanta is known as the capital of Black Gay Pride. Scan by Lucas Fernandez, Kayla Langston and Ian Willis.
Woof’s Sports Bar | Atlanta, GA
Typically “sports bar” and “gay” don’t go well together, but Woof’s proves there can be a space where these two worlds collide and create a welcoming and celebratory space. Woof’s moved to their new location with larger windows, a large outdoor patio, and opens spaces that allow for comradery and rivalry. Decorated with pride flags and team flags, Woof’s is known for it’s fun atmosphere and for bridging seemingly disparate worlds. Scan by Abby Akridge, Hai Domino and Cason Lott.
Thank you for joining us on this journey of discovery, inclusion, and queerness. Join us next month as we start developing a program and form for an LGBTQIA+ Center for the City of Atlanta! This studio would not be possible without the support of Kennesaw State University and the full support of the College of Architecture and Construction Management. We also want to thank our generous sponsor, Shamrock+, for providing us the technology and access to Matterport’s services. And thank you to our technology sponsor, Cooper Carry for lending us equipment to do this research.
Thank you to the contributions of our 5th B.Arch Students: Abby Akridge, Tiffany Belmonte, Hai Domino, Lucas Fernandez, Isabel Hunt, Kayla Langston, Nia Lankford, Ty Lawrence, Cason Lott, Ashley Maloney, Yevguenni Marseille, An Nguyen, Jacob Powell, and Ian Willis.
Follow our journey on Instagram @jg_designlab
Thank you to our Studio Sponsor Shamrock+
