Design with Pride

Jun 05, 2023 By Vasia Rigou

Design with Pride

Architecture and design projects that set new standards for the global LGBTQ+ community

By Vasia Rigou Jun 05, 2023

Published in Articles

The global LGBTQ+ community’s needs are complex and ever-evolving—and they lay in far more than rainbow colors and pride celebrations. Which makes the need for connection, support, healing, and above all being human more important than ever. Creating safe, accessible, and inclusive spaces that at the same time bring joy is no easy feat—so it’s a good thing that the design industry is catching up. In light of Pride Month, IIDA highlights architecture and design projects that make a difference, set new standards, and look into the future of design beyond gender and sexual orientation.

REACH LA
Gensler
Los Angeles

On a mission to engage and empower young LGBTQ+ people of color and their communities, REACH LA provides a safe space where health and wellness are of utmost importance, creative expression is encouraged, and the sense of community is strong. Originating in 1992, the nonprofit organization was founded by three women artists and one community organizer as a collective effort in response to the lack of HIV/AIDS prevention education for youth of color. Exceptionally designed by Gensler, the rainbow-colored building is vibrant, unique, and buzzing with positive energy. Besides providing resources for the LGBTQ+ in terms of health and wellness, REACH LA pays extra attention to their extensive creative programming: spanning visual art, photography, videography, illustration, poetry, dance, drag, and more, they aim to create an inclusive healing environment for all.

Image courtesy of Gensler

Triangle/The Nippon Foundation
Nao Tamura
Shibuya City, Japan

“The bathroom is a place where we address physical needs universal to all mankind, regardless of age, sexual identity, nationality, religion, or skin color. As we come into an age of increased awareness, how can a communal space like the public bathroom evolve in order to effectively accommodate our infinitely diverse needs?” Nao Tamura the architect behind Triangle/The Nippon Foundation, part of the Tokyo Toilet Project, had a lot to consider when bringing this project to life. Monumental scale, clean lines, and bright red hues make the building stand out—an intervention that’s unexpected but at the same time fitting within the bustling neighborhood. Safety and privacy were key during the design process. As for the concept? It is informed by Japan’s ancient traditions. “In order to replicate the Origata technique and the precise folds of paper that embody it, I chose steel plates to create the exterior’s structure and facade,” says Tamura. The result is fascinating.

Image courtesy of The Nippon Foundation

LGBTQ2+ National Monument
Public City, Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, and Albert McLeod
Ottawa, Canada

Located in downtown Ottawa and conceptualized by design studio Public City, visual artists Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, and Albert Mcleod, Indigenous and Two-Spirited People, subject matter expert and advisor, Thunderhead is a powerful national monument: “It embodies the strength, activism, and hope of LGBTQ2+ communities, and will be a lasting testimony to the courage and humanity of those who were harmed by the LGBT Purge, homophobic, and transphobic laws and norms,” says the transdisciplinary design team. Currently in progress and set to open in 2025, the project will have the form of a sculptural pavilion within an urban park. Think: a cloud-shaped structure that people will be able to enter and reflect, surrounded by a space fit for gatherings, protests, performances or dance parties. Meant for expressions of grief, healing, meditation, and celebration, Thunderbird is a beacon of change and community connection.