International African American Museum
In 2000, former Charleston mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. proposed building a museum that would serve as a meaningful space for education, remembrance, and genealogical research for the global slave trade. 23 years and $100 million later, the International African American Museum (IAAM) opened at Gadsden’s Wharf, a point of entry for nearly half of all enslaved Africans in North America. It spans 41,800 square feet and comprises nine thematic galleries, a research center, an administrative office, and a museum shop, all dedicated to providing a unique perspective on slavery and examining Charleston’s small part in a large international network of slavers.
The project kicked off shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic, and was affected on nearly every level by staff changes, industry uncertainty, and material sourcing challenges. Our team, along with the exhibit designers, RAA, Museum Owner's Representative, Carolynne Harris, and the Museum itself, remained dedicated and nimble, navigating these challenges while keeping timeline and budget top of mind.
FROM CONSULTING TO PRODUCTION
We started by spending 12 weeks conducting a detailed gallery-by-gallery assessment, exploring fabrication methods, materials, and graphics options, which delivered a more precise pricing and a transition plan. Following the success of the consultation phase, we were awarded the contract for both fabrication and AV system integration of the 38,000-square-foot exhibit space. We then assembled a team of project consultants, technologists, and artisans with extensive experience in high-end museum projects to bring the new and improved vision to life.
RESULTS
The completed museum offers a unique global perspective on the African slave trade, highlighting Charleston's historic role while creating a meaningful space for education, remembrance, and research. By fostering trust and collaboration among the project’s diverse partners, we ensured the IAAM’s stories were told with both cultural sensitivity and technical excellence.
The museum has hosted an average of 150,000 to over 187,000 visitors since opening in June 2023. In 2025, it won the prestigious Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement — one of the highest honors in the themed entertainment and experience design industry — further underscoring the global significance of the project and the strength of the partnerships that brought it to life.
