Click on Image to View Photo Album of White Hall

View of Model from From Front Door Entrance

Aerial View of Model and General Store Layout

MoTest Model for White Hall Project

Test Model of Possible Restroom Facility

Test Model for Possible Roof Design of Outdoor Gathering Area

A Review of the Project

Introduction:
White Hall is a project of Auburn University's design-build program. White Hall is a rural community just outside of Selma, AL, that was critical in the civil rights movement. A house belonging to the Jackson family actually served as a headquarters for the SNIC organization which was one of the organizations instrumental in the civil rights movement. CADC design-build program had property and several buildings donated by the Jackson family. The buildings include a school, dog-trot, 1950s house, as well as a general store. The design-build program is working to create a learning campus that provides a history of White Hall, the Jackson Family, as well as the civil rights movement as it pertained to White Hall. In addition, the learning campus is to serve as a center for gathering for the community and to bring jobs to the area. For more information concerning the White Hall Project, please visit the official website at

The assignment for the FYP was to 1) document current conditions at White Hall using ink on mylar drawings and proper historic documentation formating, 2) create designs for the various components of the learning campus, and 3) document those designs both in drawing and model format.

The Development of Designs :
Students were assigned different parts of the learning campus for which to create designs. Some students were to create designs for the use of the school; others were to create designs for the use of the general store or the SNIC house. Designs were suppose to keep in mind the function of the site - to serve as an educational campus where school age children could learn of the Civil Rights movement, White Hall's involvement in the movement, and the history of the Jackson family as a human representation of the history of the south from sharecropping to the Civil Rights movement.

Ink on Mylar Drawings :
One of the parts of the White Hall assignment was working with ink and mylar. Rapidiograph pens were used to create ink drawings on mylar to document not only current condition at White Hall but also to represent the design propossals for what Whitehall could look like.

Design Models :
Design models were to be created to represent the proposed designs. The creation of the models was to be a practice in craft as well as the process of creating models as representative of designs.

Relationship to Architecture :
The most apparent relationship to architecture is the use of buildings. What this project provides is a unique chance to reclaim abandoned buildings and provide them with a new program. This project takes into consideration program, materiality, lighting, etc. It also takes into consideration such things as cost, benefit analysis, as well as usability/functionality.

Project Design
“A Return to the General Store "

Below is a needs assessment for the General Store on the design-build site in White Hall

Objective:
Restore the General Store to working condition so that it can serve as a visitor information center as well as a gift shop.

Power:
There are two options in regards to providing outlets throughout the building. The electrical wiring could be run through piping attached to the outside of the c.m.u. walls.  This would be acceptable considering that the structure itself was built for functionality, and this is what is currently being used.  Another option would be to create a baseboard at the bottom of the walls and run the wiring through the baseboard or place it in an industrial wire cover designed to appear as molding on top of the baseboard.  This would minimize the wiring and help to minimize the cluttering of walls.

AC:
An a/c unit could be placed in the rear of the store and the duct work could be fed through the attic space.  Another option would be to place a window a/c unit in one of the rear windows.

Lighting:
Lighting should be reminiscent of the 50’s.  If vintage lighting could be acquired, this would be favorable. Glass globe lighting was often used in stores of the period.  Another alternative that would take into consideration the low ceilings would be recess lighting.  Pivoting recess lighting could be used to accent different displays in the general store. For the outside, an external pole light would add to recreating the gas station aspect of the general store when used in combination with the antique gas pump and antique car.  However, if more of a “display” effect is desired, landscape spotlights could be used to place emphasis on the gas pump, car, and the front of the star as individual pieces.

Ceiling:
Currently, the ceiling is composed of unfinished plywood.  This would be acceptable, but trim strips needs to be placed at the joints.  If the trimming could be placed in such a way as to create a geometric pattern, this would give the ceiling a more completed and designed appearance. The white gloss latex paint would then be applied to the ceiling.

CMU Walls:
The c.m.u. walls should be painted a soft grey. 

Concrete Slab:
The concrete slab should remain, should be cleaned with an acid wash and then sealed with a clear coat to make cleaning easier.

Windows:
Currently, the windows need a good cleaning and a fresh coat of white, gloss latex paint.  Gloss paint is resistant to mildew, which is often a problem for single pain windows.  The trim for all of the windows should be replaced with the same size wood which will keep the building looking uniform.  Also, the front windows should have would boards placed vertically in a pattern similar to that of the dog-trot to mask the press-board.  For window treatments, pre-manufactured white, wood blinds are suggested.  

Doors:
The doors should be painted with the same white, gloss latex paint as the windows.  The hardware should be replaced with silver metallic doorknobs and deadbolts.  The silver metal will be reminiscent of the automotive history of the building.

Furniture:
Simple metal shelving will be both cost efficient and will be clean, minimizing the clutter in the building.  Shelving can be attached to the wall and freestanding shelving can be used as well. 

The current counter should be removed and be replaced with a multilevel counter.  This will allow the counter to serve as a storage unit as well as a payment and information area.  The finish on the counter should be a black laminate countertop with the counter itself painted white.

At one point, Mr. Jackson actually cut hair in the general store.  An antique barber’s chair is located on the property and presumably belonged to Mr. Jackson.  This chair should be restored and either placed behind the counter to serve as seating for the worker, or it could be placed centrally in the building and serve as a display piece.

Wall Decoration:
To decorate the walls of the general store, black and white photos of the cars currently on the property should be matted and framed.  Also, if a photo of Mr. Jackson working in the store and any other pictures of the store in operation could be obtained, they should be incorporated.  An alternative to hanging the photos would be to place them on a shelf that would be located at the top of the wall, and would run the entire perimeter of the store.  This white shelf would also serve as a place to display such memorabilia as antique car parts and cola bottles.

Traffic Flow:
The current layout of doors in the building is conducive to traffic flowing in the front door and out the side.  The placement of shelving and any displays should take into consideration this flow of traffic.

Exterior Walls:
The exterior of the gas station should be painted white.  If antique metal gas or ad signs could be acquired, they would serve to further define the past use of the building. The eaves should be painted grey, which will minimize the appearance of staining that will occur as the metal roof ages.

Roof: 
The roof has been recently repaired and replaced and appears to need no improvements.

Entry Ways: 
Currently, the building is not handicap accessible.  Both the front and side doors need concrete ramps poured.

Front Gathering Area:
In the area in front of the store, a weed resistant membrane should be laid down and covered with smooth rock.  This will eliminate the problem of traffic killing grass and the issue of mud on rainy days.  If some of the salvaged bricks could be used to create seating areas in the front of the building, this could serve as seating while school children wait to go into the gift shop.  Another option for seating would be to use simple wood boards to make backless benches.

The Gas Pump:
The gas pump is a defining artifact for this building.  As such it should definitely be preserved.  The brick currently located behind the general store could be re-used to create flanking flower beds on each side of the gas pump.