NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center

The center’s three interconnected volumes have varied plan orientations and roof slopes. Two of these volumes contain exhibition spaces and a gift shop; the third houses administrative functions.

Silman used perimeter load-bearing concrete walls to support long-span glulam roof beams. These walls have large glass window openings with poured-in-place lintel beams. The use of the perimeter concrete walls allows for wood stud walls at the interior to help support the glulam beams. The roof, composed of tongue and groove wood decking that is exposed on the interior, contrasts with the exposed concrete walls.