National Building Museum Presents Fay Jones School-Curated 'A South Forty' Exhibition
McDonough House at Loghaven (Knoxville, Tennessee, 2020), by Sanders Pace Architecture, is part of the exhibition "A South Forty: Contemporary Architecture and Design in the American South," which opened Feb. 15 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
The exhibition "A South Forty: Contemporary Architecture and Design in the American South" opened Saturday, Feb. 15, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Curated by Peter MacKeith, dean and professor in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the U of A, and designed by Jonathan Boelkins, architect and exhibition designer, the exhibition highlights the vibrant and distinctive architectural practices emerging from the American South.
"A South Forty" offers a cross-section of the dynamic evolution of contemporary architecture in the American South over the last generation. It features the work of more than 40 architectural practices drawn from the southeastern United States, spanning from the North Carolina Atlantic coast to an inflection point in Oklahoma, along Interstate 40. The exhibition brings to light the ways in which modern architecture in the South is moving beyond traditional typologies and stereotypes, emphasizing the region's unique responses to rapid growth, natural disasters and a more complex and diverse identity.
"We’re very grateful to the National Building Museum for the opportunity to showcase this exhibition in the nation’s capital and to a national audience," Dean MacKeith said. "Our school's approach to architecture and design is fundamentally 'place-based,' not only to prepare our students to work productively in Arkansas and the greater region, but to enable them to know themselves and to have a transferable approach to design anywhere. The examples of the practices in 'A South Forty' demonstrate the deep knowledge of architects and landscape architects across the American South, as well as their devotion to the civic project of community building.
"The exhibition has been superbly designed by Jonathan Boelkins and finely constructed by the National Building Museum staff. Thanks and admiration are due to them."
The exhibition showcases the ingenuity and creativity of architects who are responding to the region's climate, materials and local context. "A South Forty" highlights projects across scales, from private homes to significant public buildings, with a particular focus on civic architecture that strengthens and enriches communities.
"As the National Building Museum, we are dedicated to inspiring curiosity about the world we design and build. 'A South Forty' exemplifies our mission by offering an in-depth look at the rich and evolving architectural landscape of the American South," said Aileen Fuchs, president and executive director of the National Building Museum. "This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore how the region's architecture is reshaping its communities, while telling a broader story of place-based design, creativity and resilience."
The story of "A South Forty" centers on the development of architecture and design in the American South since 1990, as the region has experienced economic growth and demographic shifts. From natural disasters to the region's evolving cultural identity, Southern architecture today is increasingly defined by engagement with both its landscape and its people.
The exhibition also underscores the significance of place-based design, which balances environmental, cultural and social contexts. Architects in the region are working in both urban centers and rural landscapes, acknowledging the region's history and traditions while addressing contemporary needs. As such, the exhibition emphasizes how Southern architecture creates meaningful, lasting connections with communities through buildings that are designed to withstand both time and the elements.
The works on display in "A South Forty" highlight architecture that is not only functional and innovative but also deeply rooted in the heritage of the South. These projects reflect the ongoing evolution of the region, with architects navigating both historical legacies and future possibilities to create buildings of strength, durability and lasting significance.
FEATURED WORK
"A South Forty" features more than 40 practices, including four led by Fay Jones School faculty: Marlon Blackwell Architects, Somewhere Studio, the U of A Community Design Center and the U of A Urban Design Build Studio.
The exhibition also features the work of Alterstudio Architecture; archimania; ARCHITECTUREFIRM; Atelier Mey; Brooks + Scarpa; Chambless King Architects; Dake Wells Architecture; de leon & primmer architecture workshop; DEMX Architecture; Duvall Decker; Ecological Design Group; El Dorado / KSU Design + Make Studio; emerymcclure architecture; EskewDumezRipple; Evoke Studio Architecture; Frank Harmon Architect; Fultz & Singh Architects; Helix Architecture + Design; Hobgood Architects; Ray Huff Architect; Hufft; in situ studio; JENNINGS + SANTA-RITA ARCHITECTS; Katherine Hogan Architects; modus studio; Office of Jonathan Tate; patterhn ives; Pendulum Studio; Polk Stanley Wilcox; Rural Studio, Auburn University; Sanders Pace Architecture; SILO AR+D; STUDIO A Architecture; Tall Architects; The Raleigh Architecture Company; unabridged Architecture; University of Florida Design/Build; Vines Architecture; VMDO; and W.G. Clark Architect.
About the National Building Museum: The National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world we design and build. We believe that understanding the impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, construction, planning, and design is important for everyone. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and special events, we welcome visitors of all ages to experience stories about the built world and its power to shape our lives, our communities, and our futures. Public inquiries: 202-272-2448, info@nbm.org or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
About the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design: The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas houses undergraduate professional design programs of architecture, landscape architecture and interior architecture and design together with a liberal studies program. The school also offers a Master of Design Studies, with concentrations in health and wellness design, resiliency design, integrated wood design, and retail and hospitality design. The DesignIntelligence 2019 School Rankings Survey listed the school among the most hired from architecture, landscape architecture and interior design schools, ranking 10th, 14th and eighth, respectively, as well as 28th among most admired architecture schools.
About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.
Contacts
Michelle Parks, senior director of communications and marketing
Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design
479-575-4704, mparks17@uark.edu