The 21st Century Arts Center for Equality is an architectural response to the racial reckoning. Conceived as a critique and blueprint, it embeds inclusivity, equity, and representation into design practice. Three interlinked chapters shape the project: The Floating Dreams, a collaborative creation centre for artists of all backgrounds; The Ladder to Equality, a public gallery fostering cross-cultural dialogue; and The Healing Wound:
Global Design & Architecture Design Awards 2025
Third Award | Culture / Mixed Use (Concept)
Project Name: The 21st Century Arts Center for Equality
Category: Culture / Mixed Use (Concept)
Studio Name: Studio Man
Design Team: Shu Man
Area:
Year:2025
Location: West 59th Street, Manhattan, New York, USA
Consultants:
Photography Credits: Shu Man / Studio Man
Render Credits: Shu Man / Studio Man
Other Credits: Shu Man / Studio Man
- The Floating Dreams – Creation Centre
A collaborative and private space for artists and designers of all racial backgrounds to create, experiment, and exchange ideas. - The Ladder to Equality – Communication Gallery
An inclusive public arena for art appreciation and cross-cultural dialogue, dismantling barriers between creators and audiences. - The Healing Wound – Subterranean Urban Museum
A monumental underground museum extending 800 meters beneath Manhattan and spanning 20-60 meters in width. Positioned between the two symbolic structures, it is crowned by a 700-meter-long glass roof subtly overlaying West 59th Street. This minimal footprint above ground asserts a bold social presence below, offering a commemorative and ceremonial space for reflection on racial equality. Like the enduring wound of inequality in American history, The Healing Wound embodies both remembrance and hope – transforming a collective scar into an optimistic vision of a more just cultural future.
More than a building, this landmark transforms a collective scar into a shared hope, offering an immersive, commemorative journey toward a more just cultural future.
