by ArchitectureWeek

In an era when immersive multimedia experiences are associated with frivolous but violent games, one small building in Manhattan is harnessing these technologies to teach important lessons of peaceful coexistence. The New York Tolerance Center was designed by NBBJ to help people and organizations explore issues of prejudice, diversity, and cooperation in the community and the workplace.

The idea was developed and funded by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust by fostering tolerance and understanding through community education.

The resulting 20,000-square-foot (1860-square-meter) training center, built inside the Daily News Building on 42nd Street, includes spaces specially designed for interactive workshops and exhibits. The center is described as a "social laboratory" for diversity training programs for front-line professionals such as teachers, police, and community leaders. The facility is designed to accommodate scheduled groups throughout the day, with planned events in the evening and on weekends.   >>>

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The "Millenium Machine" interactive exhibit invites visitors to ponder issues of global human rights. Photo: Michael Moran Entry lobby of the New York Tolerance Center, designed by NBBJ. Photo: Michael Moran   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.