Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice

Agency
Client
  • Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice
Industry

In 2018, after a two-year renovation, the landmark building reopened as the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice; more than a headquarters, the center is a vibrant, accessible hub for champions of social justice.

The engaging brand expression program draws inspiration from the building’s 1960s period while visually complementing the organization’s evocative art collection. The design concept “A Bold Whisper” expresses the Foundation’s quiet confidence in its mission and key international initiatives. Foundational messaging and provocative quotes from social justice visionaries are expressed through subtle and sophisticated brand moments. The inclusivity-centric signage and way-finding program with symbol design inspired by 1960s era illustration style seamlessly guides users throughout the building’s 13-floors and atrium.

The Challenge

The project challenge called for Gensler to honor Ford Foundation’s impressive history and let a powerful art collection take precedence.

The design team worked with Ford’s President, Darren Walker, and art curator, Lisa Kim, and Ford communications team, to identify the right imagery and narratives for each touchpoint. The brand expression program created a rich, bespoke, and subtle storyline throughout the landmarked building. This project is a benchmark of inclusivity in its design and execution.

Project Vision

Powerful imagery and text support the narrative in all workplace and convening areas. “We Believe in the Inherent Dignity of All People” murals frame the café; an adjacent 22-foot photograph documents the notable 1965 Selma March to Montgomery, layered with messaging from the Foundation.

Each meeting room is dedicated to a distinguished visionary whose work reflects the Foundation’s long-standing mission and history. Their stories are told on plaques outside each room. Gensler developed a signage program and wayfinding strategy includes braille integrations to ensure a seamless journey for all persons. A digital and interactive welcome guide identifies resources within the new space.

Photo Credit: Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler

“We Believe in the Inherent Dignity of All People” murals frame the café.

Photo Credit: Garrett Rowland, courtesy of Gensler

Curated artwork provide the opportunity for each visitor to have a personal and meaningful connection with the organization through the renewed building.

Photo Credit: Garrett Rowland, courtesy of Gensler

The Foundation saw the renovation as an opportunity to create much more than a headquarters for itself, adding a public art gallery.

Photo Credit: Garrett Rowland, courtesy of Gensler

Foundational messaging and provocative quotes from social justice visionaries are expressed through subtle and sophisticated brand moments.

Design & Execution

Gensler designed and managed the implementation of a comprehensive signage, wayfinding, and environmental graphics program for the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice.

The project required over 100 unique signage and graphic types to create a seamless and inclusive branded experience across the project’s complex program, which included workplace, conference center, auditorium, cafeteria, as well as a public garden and art gallery.

Photo Credit: Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler

Powerful imagery and text support the narrative in all workplace and convening areas.

Photo Credit: Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler

Gensler developed a signage program and wayfinding strategy includes braille integrations to ensure a seamless journey for all persons.

When Roche-Dinkeloo’s building opened more than 50 years ago, The New York Times architecture critic, Ada Louise Huxtable, proclaimed it to be a “civic gesture of beauty and excellence” and that Ford had “given New York a superlative work of architecture.” Today, the building renovation ensures that the gift keeps on giving in new and meaningful ways. The Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice receives approximately 10,000 visitors per month who come from diverse backgrounds from across the world.

Photo Credits: LEFT: (c) Garrett Rowland, courtesy of Gensler // RIGHT: (c) Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler

Each meeting room is dedicated to a distinguished visionary whose work reflects the Foundation’s long-standing mission and history.

Photo Credit: Craig Byers, courtesy of Gensler

The project required over 100 unique signage and graphic types to create a seamless and inclusive branded experience across the project’s complex program.

The renovation significantly increased transparency and accessibility, allowing visitors to fully and equally experience the space and acts as a catalyst for Ford and other like-minded organizations to carry out their respective missions to advance social justice. The purposefully designed brand expression program and curated artwork provide the opportunity for each visitor to have a personal and meaningful connection with the organization through the renewed building.

Photo Credit: Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler

“We Believe in the Inherent Dignity of All People” murals frame the café.

Photo Credit: Garrett Rowland, courtesy of Gensler

Curated artwork provide the opportunity for each visitor to have a personal and meaningful connection with the organization through the renewed building.

Photo Credit: Garrett Rowland, courtesy of Gensler

The Foundation saw the renovation as an opportunity to create much more than a headquarters for itself, adding a public art gallery.

Photo Credit: Garrett Rowland, courtesy of Gensler

Foundational messaging and provocative quotes from social justice visionaries are expressed through subtle and sophisticated brand moments.

Photo Credit: Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler

Powerful imagery and text support the narrative in all workplace and convening areas.

Photo Credit: Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler

Gensler developed a signage program and wayfinding strategy includes braille integrations to ensure a seamless journey for all persons.

Photo Credits: LEFT: (c) Garrett Rowland, courtesy of Gensler // RIGHT: (c) Robert Deitchler, courtesy of Gensler

Each meeting room is dedicated to a distinguished visionary whose work reflects the Foundation’s long-standing mission and history.

Photo Credit: Craig Byers, courtesy of Gensler

The project required over 100 unique signage and graphic types to create a seamless and inclusive branded experience across the project’s complex program.