ROBERT SMALLS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Beaufort, SC
The Robert Smalls Leadership Academy is a cutting- edge educational facility spanning 149,000 square feet. The facility is designed to accommodate 938 students from pre-k through 8th grade while serving as a hub for the neighboring Beaufort community. Located in the rural county of Beaufort, South Carolina, this school is more than a learning environment – it is deeply embedded as a historical marker within the region. The institution’s namesake – Robert Smalls – is a renowned African American historical figure who championed education and civil rights, launching many iterations of the school in 1925. The prominence of the namesake, the school’s celebrated history, and the perspective of the community were driving factors in a design solution that feels historically rooted while forging a path forward for the next generation.
Beaufort County Schools
2023
Community Engagement, Research, Opportunity Assessment, Creative Direction, Concept Development, Design Development and Illustration
Educational Facility | PreK-8th
Through early listening sessions and community meetings, the experiential graphics team built consensus around two primary objectives among stakeholders, alumni association, community members, and all disciplines of the design team to act as a guide throughout the process:
Unifying Project Mision
Honor
Honor the achievements of Robert Smalls and his lifelong advocacy for education and equality.
01
Educate
Highlight the school’s history and Robert Smalls’ legacy of education and civil rights, inspiring empowerment and progress.
02
Celebrate
Celebrate the community’s shared legacy, fostering pride, unity, and hope for future generations.
03
The design team also faced the challenge of crafting an immersive environment on a two-dimensional plane constrained by budget limitations inherent to a public school's limited funding.
planter mural
The team envisioned an entry experience for students and the community that is steeped in the rich history of Robert Smalls. Such an experience is achieved through a grand Planter Mural in the main lobby. The mural serves as a vibrant celebration of Robert Smalls' life, depicted through a hand-drawn illustration narrating the daring escape of Smalls and enslaved men capturing the Planter Ship in Charleston Harbor.
The soft color palette coupled with the illustrative movement within the mural creates an ideal backdrop for the bright, monumental stair to take center stage. The design cleverly transforms the building environment into a learning tool by seamlessly weaving local ecology into the Planter Mural. Beyond aesthetic appeal, this integration responds to the science curriculum, fostering moments of discovery as students find sea life within the art.
Timeline Portal
The team faced the challenge of immersing the environment with the history and advocacy of Robert Smalls and the school, transcending their dedication to education by addressing the significance of their actions amid civil and social unrest in America. In line with the principle of using the building as a teaching tool, the corridor space was transformed with a sequence of eight portals forming a visual timeline. The intentional layering of these portals onto ceilings and corresponding walls emerged as a strategic solution to effectively engage users with the historical content.
Listening
Actively engage the community to understand their needs and values, laying the foundation for a design that fosters belonging and inclusivity.
01
Research
Analyze community demographics, cultural context, and needs, incorporating insights from the 2020 national racial discussions to authentically represent Black history in the South.
02
Communication
Develop a nuanced approach to presenting information that resonates with a diverse audience, spanning children aged five to fourteen and adults.
03
Refinement
Refine the content and design by collaborating with the community and end users to ensure alignment with their values and needs.
04
REFLECTION
The goal of this project was to craft a space that the community could take pride in. The overwhelming enthusiasm surrounding the school and its exhibit is a powerful testament to the thoughtful design and the unwavering commitment from all involved, honoring the legacy and actions of its namesake, Robert Smalls.
Work performed while employed by LS3P as an Experiential Graphic Designer