The National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta has reopened following a major expansion. Eleven years after its debut, the extension by Perkins & Will increases the Center’s space by fifty percent and marks a substantial transformation. ATELIER BRÜCKNER has renewed the galleries and added immersive new experiences, supported by recurring “Join In” and “Reflection Zones” that guide visitors through engagement and contemplation. A core highlight is the new “Martin Luther King, Jr. Gallery”, with King’s recreated office, personal artefacts, and a floating cloud of pages leading into the MLK Collection. 

How can a dense, urgent, and complex subject like Civil and Human Rights be made accessible to children? At the Children’s Gallery, the answer lies in transforming the topic into an experience that is active, playful and confidence-building. Just like the main adult exhibition, the gallery carries a clear and compelling message: to take action, to make a difference, and to be brave. Designed as an immersive training ground for young “Change Agents,” the space invites, encourages, and empower children to explore their own identities, tolerate others, and develop the courage needed to stand up for equality and justice.

Exhibition Design: ATELIER BRÜCKNER  Project Development Management: DaVinci Development  Exhibit Content and Narrative Design: Lord Cultural Resources  Building Construction: Juneau Construction Company  Architect: Perkins&Will  Photography: Josef Sindelka