Seattle, Washington
The Sarah Queen Project is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Sarah Queen Gardner, a prominent Spokane entrepreneur, civic activist, and community leader, by creating spaces for community engagement, small business incubation, and social interaction. The project seeks to create a dynamic environment that fosters exchange between building tenants and the broader neighborhood, while simultaneously celebrating the history of Black women entrepreneurs and the deep history of the Black church. This space will function not only as a catalyst for economic and social collaboration but also as a site for cultural reflection, artistic expression, and connection.
The design of the building is inspired by the values and characteristics associated with Sarah Queen Gardner’s life and work, reflecting beauty, elegance, and regality. These qualities are conveyed through light, form, and materials, which evoke a sense of permanence, strength, and distinctiveness. The building may engage with histories, through abstracting specifics. The design intentionally moves away from the conventional or monotonous, instead preferencing design strategies that invite exploration and interaction. The approach endeavors to combine sophistication with functional innovation.
In addition to its architectural integrity, the project is a tribute to Sarah Queen Gardner’s personal attributes, often described as beautiful, fashionable, regal, royal, and glamorous. These descriptors are woven into the spatial, programmatic, and material experience of the building, creating a reflective space that honors her contributions to the community. The building not only will function as a practical space for living, commerce, and socialization but also to inspire reflection and inquiry among the public, encouraging curiosity and memorializing the history of Black culture within Seattle’s Central District neighborhood and beyond.
Ultimately, the Sarah Queen Project aims to establish a lasting, meaningful memorial to her legacy, while serving as a source of pride and inspiration for both her family and the community at large.
