Hood Design Studio

📚 Exciting Book Announcement! 📚 Eight years ago, Walter was chosen to design the African Ancestors Memorial Garden, which now unfurls beneath Charleston’s International African American Museum. In his new book, "The African Ancestors Garden: History and Memory at the International African American Museum," Walter recounts the story of his work at this sacred space. With contributions by key figures critical to the realization of the International African American Museum, this significant book presents the intensive site research and concepts that went into creating the distinct spaces at the museum. On sale worldwide in December. Click on the link to pre-order: https://lnkd.in/g97tdiPT #NewBook #PreOrderNow #LandscapeArchitecture #WalterHood #Charleston #AfricanAncestorsMemorialGarden #IAAM #HistoryAndMemory #BookRelease #MustRead #Art #Phaidon #IAAM #CharlestonSC #Museum

The International African American Museum has been honored by TIME Magazine, making it onto the prestigious list of the World's Greatest Places of 2024! This recognition underscores the museum's profound impact in celebrating and preserving African American history and culture. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in bringing this incredible institution to life. https://lnkd.in/gScs6XeC

We need your help! John Robinson Jr.'s Town Square (FREED) has been selected among the Top 100 projects in the CODAawards! 🏆 Now, we have the incredible opportunity to make it to the People's Choice winner. Your vote can make a difference. The CODAawards celebrates outstanding projects that integrate commissioned art into an interior, architectural, or public spaces. Learn more about FREED here: https://lnkd.in/g264EAwi Vote here: https://lnkd.in/g4TudmJv

Walter's two-part exhibit, "Arc of Life/Ark of Bones," at the The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University is still on view until July 7th! "Arc of Life" showcases 10 oil paintings that evoke memories of Walter's upbringing in segregated Charlotte, North Carolina. The paintings explore his experiences before venturing abroad and pursuing education and a career in an integrated world. Inspired by Henry Dumas' short story, "Ark of Bones," the second exhibit is a compelling, site-specific sculptural installation. This installation takes the form of an inverted ship's hull, allowing visitors to pass through and engage in reflection. Time is ticking, don't miss out!

Reflecting on the evolution of Lincoln Center and its historical context, The New York Times sheds light on the vibrant past of San Juan Hill, the neighborhood that once thrived where Lincoln Center stands today. This neighborhood, rich in African American and Caribbean culture, was a bustling hub of creativity and community before it was demolished in the 1950s to make way for the arts complex. We've been working alongside Weiss/Manfredi and Moody Nolan to redesign and develop plans based on the ideas of recent feedback from over 3,400 New Yorkers who have already provided their input on how to enhance the institution’s appeal to locals and visitors alike while honoring the artistic contributions of San Juan Hill. Ultimately, our goal is to create a landscape that honors the legacy of San Juan Hill while empowering locals to reimagine and reclaim this space in new and meaningful ways. https://lnkd.in/gebJUsCJ

Hood Design Studio is busy working on many exceptional projects and we're seeking designers with 5 years of experience in landscape and architecture to join our team! Send your resumes and portfolios to [email protected].

Earlier this month, we celebrated the long-awaited opening of Panorama Park on Yerba Buena Island. This new landscape at the apex of the island has been designed as a cultural and ecological arboretum, making it a significant regional destination. Panorama Park is envisioned as a dynamic space that celebrates both the ecological and cultural heritage of Yerba Buena Island. The new spaces create a palimpsest in which the layers of history can be read: trees echo the forms of now-demolished buildings, foundation fragments remind visitors of the island’s built history, a water tank is transformed into a plaza overlook, and pathways are inspired by the meanderings of once-pasturing goats. Native flora gradates toward a more culturally focused landscape. This new addition not only honors the island's past but also provides a beautiful and functional space for present and future generations to enjoy. Images by Steven J. Magner, Hood Design Studio, and Jho.

Hood Design Studio is excited to reimagine Houston’s beloved MacGregor Park, thanks to a catalyst gift by The Kinder Foundation. We look forward to building upon Houston Parks Board master plan, paying homage to the park’s historic connection to the community and cherished recreational amenities. Alongside a talented local design team — Talley Landscape Architects, Inc., Landscape Architect of Record; Moody Nolan; Walter P Moore, Infrastructure Associates, Inc.; Hollaway Environmental Communications Services, Inc.; and Omega & Associates Engineering — we are committed to creating a revitalized space that enhances MacGregor Park as a unique community hub that embraces diversity and tells a distinctive story.

"Hood emphasizes the crucial role that symbolism and storytelling, be it visual or narrative, has played in the African American experience, and the preservation of that history. Each piece of the garden, he added, can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. 'Museums are places where you can say something about the culture. Where we can begin to vet some of these things that we don’t want to talk about. It goes back to the idea of these being the new civic spaces, where honest conversations can be had.'" Thank you Sam Lubell for featuring International African American Museum and Hood Design Studio in his latest piece, "As Museums’ Missions Expand, So Too Does Their Physical Space". Read more below: https://lnkd.in/g3mVU3zU

Earth Day Spotlight: Liollio Architecture Hood Design Studio New Discovery Place Museum Begins Construction — VIEW:  https://lnkd.in/ek3neDdG #discoveryplacemuseum #mecklengurgcountync #discoveryplace #nature #hooddesignstudio #newconstruction #architecture #charlottenc #earthday2024