The Parks-Lynn House
A Proposal for Parks-Lynn House
A BLACK LITERACY HUB
Making this house a writer’s retreat is the driving force behind the transformation of the Parks-Lynn House. Envisioned as a literacy hub that serves community, it will be a place where authors can stay to dedicate their time and creative energy to focus on writing. Located in the heart of the historic Rondo community, it is fittingly named after the Parks and Lynn families who migrated from the south in the 1920’s to escape discrimination. The house was purchased in 1962 by James and Mary Lynn Murphy, who was the sister-in-law of Gordon Parks, the famed photographer, filmmaker, and author. It is now owned by Rekhet and Anura Si-Asar, grandson of James Murphy.
With restoration as a key theme, our team collaborated with the family to understand their aspirations to create a place for short term lodging, community gathering and studio art space. The two-story home with basement and attic will also serve as a place to archive records and documents of their family and other significant African American archives from Minnesota. An equally important need was to ensure that the home be fully accessible.
After defining these programmatic requirements, we field measured and photographed the home to establish baseline design drawings. Built in 1904, the home has original hard wood floors, doors and trim, built-in mill-work, stain glass windows and historic roof trim. The proposed plans provide accessibility into the home and lift within the home. A new kitchen with island will enhance opportunities for coffee or tea breaks and communal meals. Lodging guests will have access to a second-floor room with patio deck or a studio apartment in the backyard. The lower level of the studio apartment will feature a space for artists to create as well as exhibit their work. With sustainability in mind, a beautiful green space with gardens, permeable pavers and courtyard will connect the main house and studio structure.
Once the phased renovation is complete, In Black Ink, a non-profit where Rehket serves as the Executive Director, will manage the property. In Black Ink creates spaces where the stories and voices of people of African heritage are celebrated, documented, and archived through publications, professional development training opportunities, and public presentations. It is fitting that the Parks-Lynn House will not only be this physical space for writers to retreat but also embody this vision of making a place where writers of African heritage are seen and celebrated.
Designing for Equitable Communities
Our team represents the population served by the project
Designing for Economy
Reusing the existing house to preserve community history and reduce embodied carbon
Improving the building shell and interior
Leasing out of artist studio to other organizations with shared values
Location: St. Paul, MN
Dates: January 2024
Size: House 1918; Studio 1280 square feet
Photos: Alicia Belton
Environment — Designed within existing infrastructure prioritizing accessibility into and through the home.
— Plans for resue of wood floors, doors and trim where possible.
Econimic Impact — We provided a cost estimate and phasing plan to renovate as funding becomes available.
— Studio (Accessory Dwelling) will provide additional operating revenue.
Equity — Why In Black Ink? Only four percent of all books published in the US are about people of African heritage (Lee & Low, 2015), with very few publishers of African Heritage nationally.
