The demolition of the Historic Southside Community Center marks a significant milestone, bringing the realization of the National Juneteenth Museum—designed by BIG—one step closer. The facility will host exhibitions, discussions, and events centered on the significance of freedom for African Americans.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Lee herself, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, government officials, community members, museum partners, and the design team. The activities previously housed in the demolished building have been relocated to the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods, following a series of repairs that required an investment of over $10 million.
National Juneteenth Museum by BIG. Rendering by Plomp.
The project’s design centers on an undulating roof, featuring a series of ridges, peaks, and valleys of varying heights. Together, these elements form a central courtyard shaped like a "nova star," which serves as the focal point for the museum and its activities. Furthermore, this star symbolizes a new chapter for African Americans; it evokes the 50 stars on the American flag—representing the nation’s 50 states—thereby symbolizing freedom throughout the entire country.
The mass timber structure extends from exterior to interior, creating a strong visual continuity throughout the museum. The building's public and private realms are also interconnected through its circular layout, with a business incubator, food hall, flexible black box space, and theater on the ground floor.
National Juneteenth Museum by BIG. Rendering by Plomp.
Immersive galleries extend from the ground floor to the upper level, giving visitors an overhead perspective into the public courtyard below and allowing light to travel through the entire space. Glass walls reinforce a sense of openness, transparency, and connection, complementing the pared-back timber and concrete material palette.
Surrounding the museum, a network of plazas, generous lawns, and native landscaping extends the building’s sense of community into the public realm, creating spaces for outdoor exhibitions, large-scale installations, and gatherings.
