This project was funded by the City of Minneapolis through the Schematic Design Phase and was then placed on hold due to funding issues.  The project had to designed so that it could be built on any one of several prospective sites.  One of the more prominent sites considered was the parcel of land south of the Central Lutheran Church parking lot.  The Cultural Centre, in this location, was meant to serve as a major landmark and a gateway to the city of Minneapolis.

Dr. James Chaffers, a distinguished African American architectural professor from Michigan State University assisted our firm in the programming phase of the project.  He also brought to our office, a greater understanding of African architecture and, in particular, the culture of the Dogan people.  For the Dogan, there is no differentiation between form and function - both exist as art. 

Bentz / Thompson / Rietow used traditional container forms from the Dogan to form the basis for the building, with its square base transitioning to its circular roof.  The project emphasizes the beauty and complexity of combining simple forms.