The Pink Triangle: LGBTQ+ Community Center

The mission of the LGBTQ+ community center is to provide a variety of quality programs, activities and facilities as well as providing opportunities to experience activities that broaden knowledge, enhance self esteem, promote healthy relationships and strengthen commitments to the community. The LGBTQ+ community is made up of a myriad of individuals and is a community that has been discriminated against in the past as well as in the present. With this in mind, the center will create positive experiences by providing both recreational programs and leisure activities that fulfill the needs of the community and create lasting memories for generations to come. Concept Statement: During the holocaust, concentration camp prisoners were classified by a set of colored triangles; pink was reserved for homosexuals (now an outdated term). When liberation came in the mid-1940’s, most of the survivors were set free. Homosexuals, however, were taken by U.S. Army personnel from concentration camps to allied prisons. Since the 1940’s, the upside down pink triangle has become one of the most recognizable and powerful symbols for gay people and the oppression they have faced throughout Western History. The pink triangle was a commonly used sign or badge throughout the early gay liberation movements and it is a reminder of the history and struggle and is often accompanied by the statement, “Never again!”

Hallway: This hallway branches directly off the entrance. When walking into the building and turning left you are met with a representation of exactly what this entire community center represents. When speaking with interviewees some words they mentioned were “loud”, “expression”, and “unique” so it felt important to create a space that shows all of these things, especially in one of the main hallways. The faces represent expression, the upside-down triangles represent the LGBTQ+ history, the colors represent the diversity and uniqueness, and the LED lighting represents the loudness of the space. This hallway is intended to be one of the focal points of the entire community center and also a photo op to draw in more members. It's one of those spaces you see that makes you want to stop and stare for a moment and take it all in.

Administration Area: The administrative space specifically shows the open work area and the large conference rooms. The use of Carnegie fabrics in ‘Quartz’ has been used on the work chairs. Carnegie fabrics ‘Honeycomb’ has also been used on the conference room chairs. Maslands Carpets LVT in ‘Ashlank Oak’ has been carried into this space as well. On the ceiling are LED lights that cross to form multiple triangles. The back wall has triangle cutouts with pink LED lights coming through to tie in with the triangle concept. The use of an orange-tinted curtain wall helps bring more color into the space and adds more interest than a regular colored glass. The slanted ceiling works perfectly to our advantage in carrying out the triangle theme seeing as it creates a triangle shape to the entire space.

Cafe: This cafe area is a space intended for comfort, collaboration, natural sunlight, and a view of the outdoors. All of which were mentioned as a part of the project goals and objectives. The cafe can be used as a place to enjoy the food offered, or as a place to hang out and interact with others in the community. It includes fixed and movable furniture to allow for flexibility as well as stability depending on each person's individual needs. The use of bright colors and neon lights furthers the concept of a colorful and fun interior perfect for the LGBTQ+ community. Many triangle shapes can be seen throughout this area to tie in with the pink triangle concept. The use of Masland Carpets luxury vinyl flooring in ‘Ashland Oak’ was incorporated into this space as well as Carnegie's Fabrics material ‘Framework’ seen on the couch cushions.

Entry and Photo Op: Pictured is the entry area and the front desk. The use of Daltile tiles in ‘Confectionary’ can be seen on the wall behind the desk. It has been arranged in a triangle pattern to further the concept of the triangles. To the right of the desk are neon lights that form an implied triangle. This is intended to be used as a “selfie wall” that people can take photos in front of and post on social media in the hopes of getting more people to want to come to this space.

Community Room: This community room located inside the two-story interactive space is a perfect place to get away from the large crowds and find comfort in small groups. It promotes support and collaboration by allowing people to meet in smaller groups to discuss more personal things or to create lasting friendships. The room is shaped to mimic a pyramid to tie in with the triangle concept. The community room also makes use of triangle-shaped pendants and a triangle roof.

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