Recreation
Art for Art’s Sake (AFAS) had a vision; to take a dilapidated urban parking lot in a “no man’s land” section of Downtown Winston-Salem, and transform it into a green space for the community to experience and celebrate art.
Winston-Salem, NC
15 months
1/2 acre
Architecture
To make ARTivity feel larger than its half-acre size, an 8-inch-wide “AFAS Red” ground line was designed to visually connect the block and guide pedestrians to the park’s center, where 13 steel masts, 35 to 50 feet tall, release water vapor every half hour.
Six pathways weave through rolling Lounge Berms inspired by the nearby foothills and offer views of a 124’ long mural wall where the general public display their talents.
At the south end of the site sits the “Ribbon Shelter.” Often used as a performance venue, its 7 undulating ribbons of ¾” plate steel take their form from music notes. The ribbons bend to create integrated seating areas and artist easels.
The central structure pays homage to Winston-Salem’s manufacturing heritage and the iconic silhouette of the historic RJ Reynolds Building, located just a few blocks away. Meanwhile, the red pathways weave through the art district, symbolically bridging the city’s rich history with its vibrant, forward-looking community.
