Atlanta Decorative Arts Center
OPEN HOUSE
In the middle of Hurricane Helene, I journeyed to the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, a 550,000 square-foot design complex, to attend their annual open house event. Tucked away in the trees of Buckhead in Atlanta, GA, ADAC has been a staple in the design industry of the American South since the 1960s.
At the time of this writing, I’d lived in Atlanta as an artist and designer for 3 years and had no knowledge of this design playground. No matter your location, there’s always something new nearby to discover — a cafe, a bookstore, a garden, a design campus.
Designed by architect John Portman Jr., ADAC started as a one-story building with an open interior courtyard for parking and landscaping. The complex was intended for the distribution of furniture, fabrics, lighting, flooring and fixtures. As the luxury design industry expanded, so too did ADAC.
Since its original construction, ADAC has grown through 5 expansions, transforming from a one-story structure to a gigantic design complex that features a main building with skylights over its 5-story atrium, 80+ showrooms/studios, a warehouse add-on and a 5-part sculptural tower titled Music South.
Good design is never complete. The people using the space are constantly changing, so in order for the design to be effective, it must continually realign itself with its users.
Discover ADAC
For more than 5 decades, ADAC was a space strictly for trade professionals. The center opened itself to the public in 2012, a decision that intended to demystify design and encourage everyday people to involve themselves in design conversations.
As the general public gains a deeper appreciation for the multi-layered importance of the design process, the value of the industry and its professionals increases.
Discover ADAC, the annual open house, draws crowds of designers, architects, artists and enthusiasts. Due to Hurricane Helene, attendance at Discover ADAC 2024 was sparse. The place was damn near empty when I arrived, so much so I thought the showrooms were closed.
I wandered through the hallways, bubbling with curiosity. Most showrooms had their glass doors shut, so I though they weren’t receiving guests. I spotted another (perhaps the only other) curly afro through a wall of windows, maneuvering through showroom vignettes. Without thinking twice, I pursued the afro and found myself on the other side of the glass, in a bright and airy showroom by Made Goods. I didn’t get to engage with the other curly girl, but her presence was all the permission I needed to take the chance and open a door. Made Goods works with artisans around the world to produce statement pieces for designers. See some textures from their designs below.
Made Goods
The most intriguing open house event, in my opinion, was called Palette of the Earth, featuring artist-designer Kristin Genet. She was scheduled for a discussion in the showroom where her latest works were displayed. At the last minute and because of the hurricane, the event was cancelled. I figured I wouldn’t get to see her work but, by accident, I found the showroom her event was set (Habachy Designs + Atelier). Her work was indeed on display and the showroom was indeed open. Kristin’s work fits snugly into Habachy’s warm, organic aesthetic.
Habachy Designs + Atelier
Habachy Designs & I speak the same design language. They emphasize natural tones, organic materials and sculptural forms. From the textures to the music to the moodiness of the lighting, Habachy has created a totally immersive experience in its studio, one that spoke deeply to my spirit.
Habachy set themselves apart by featuring a contemporary artist in a design centered space. Many in my network identify as artists rather than designers. While the disciplines have their differences, there’s plenty of overlap. Artists should frequent design spaces and designers should frequent art spaces. Artists should be familiar with how their works fit into home settings and public spaces. They should be able to identify and discuss which design styles their artworks complement.
Designers, on the other hand, are consistently in need of artwork for their projects. Buying from home decor stores is an option, as is patronizing a well-known artist. But what if it was standard practice for designers to attend studio visits and gallery openings by emerging artists? What if the overlap between artist and designer became intentional partnerships that ripened the spaces of our future?
Atlanta Decorative Arts Center is a valuable place for artists, designers, architects and enthusiasts to visit. Browse the showrooms to begin developing or continue refining your personal style. ADAC hosts 100+ events throughout the year, most being free and open to the public. These events are the perfect space for artists and designers to establish and build relationships that could be fruitful for years to come.
ADAC Gallery
https://adacatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ADAC_2021-1.pdf