Georgia College & State University, Andalusia Interpretive Center

Year: 2025 Design & Honor Awards | Category: Built Project under 5,000 SF

Located on author Flannery O’Connor’s Andalusia homestead, the new Interpretive Center is a modern reinterpretation of the agrarian vernacular of the historic farm site. Inside, a spacious exhibit room features permanent and rotating displays, complemented by a bookstore, collections storage, and administrative office space. The center serves as an educational and cultural resource that supports the historic site and preserves O’Connor’s legacy through campus programs and public events. Designed for scholarly research and visitor engagement, the interpretive center will celebrate literature, history and the legacy of Flannery O’Connor and will underscore Andalusia as a cherished destination for enthusiasts worldwide.

Design Challenge

How can we design an Interpretive Center for Andalusia Farm that enhances visitor experience while preserving the historic integrity of this National Historic Landmark, ensuring that the architecture complements the site’s agrarian vernacular and provides modern functionality without compromising its cultural significance?

Innovative Design Features:

• Contextual Siting & Preservation – Positioned outside the area of historical significance, minimizing visual and physical impact while restoring the farmhouse to its period of significance.
• Architectural Vernacular – Echoing Andalusia’s agrarian style with natural cypress cladding, a white metal trellised porch, and a metal-clad shed for storage.
• Enhanced Visitor Experience – A serene, landscaped pathway leads to a welcoming front porch with rocking chairs, setting the stage for reflection and immersion.
• Multi-functional Interior – A dynamic lobby featuring a historic mural, a flexible Exhibit Hall with movable vitrines, and a video wall for engaging storytelling.
• Sustainable & Archival Conservation – Climate-controlled collection storage with a glass partition, balancing visibility with optimal preservation conditions.
• Storytellers’ Courtyard – A thoughtfully designed outdoor space with semi-circular stone benches fostering discussion and community engagement.
• Accessibility & Connectivity – An inclusive, accessible walkway linking the center to the farmhouse, ensuring all visitors can explore Andalusia’s literary legacy.

This design seamlessly blends history, function, and experience, creating an inviting and educational gateway to Flannery O’Connor’s world.

Firm
Page

Project Location
Milledgeville, Georgia

Completion Date
3/24/2023

Architects and Designers
Leslie Ellsworth, RA
Gabby Black

Additional Team
NBP Engineers
Palmer Engineering Company
Koons Environmental Design, Inc

Photographer
Jonathan Hillyer