Center for Civil and Human Rights

The Freelon Group and HOK have won an international competition to design the new Center for Civil & Human Rights (CCHR) in Atlanta, US.

As the Center`s Architect of Record the two companies will now work with CCHR's leadership, exhibition designer and project manager Cousins Properties/Gude Management Group to finalize its design ahead of ground breaking on the US$ 125 million, 100000 sq2 (9300 m2) project later this year.

According to Philip Freelon, president of The Freelon Group, the winning design is inspired by "the simple yet powerful image of interlocking arms that signifies the linkages that empower individuals and groups of seemingly divergent interests to find common ground."

The design, which was conceived with sustainability as "a primary consideration", features a terracotta-clad building surrounding an exterior courtyard, which serves as an amphitheatre and exhibition space.

The Center for Civil and Human Rights will commemorate the contributions of Atlantans and Georgians to the historic struggle for African-American freedom and equality as well as present the continuing story of human rights efforts around the world.

For more information on the CCHR visit www.cchrpartnership.org.