Noquisiyi Cultural Learning Center

The Landmarks Team provided Technical Assistance to the Nikwasi Initiative through the Opportunity Appalachia program to repurpose a vacant, 5-bay auto sales and repair station into a 7,000 square foot Noquisiyi Cherokee Cultural Learning Center which will provide cultural opportunities to Cherokee people as well as cross-cultural exhibits and programming for non-native visitors. The goal of the project is to increase heritage tourism and recreation to the town of Franklin, while also providing an educational component with an emphasis of the Noquisiyi Mound as a major cultural resource for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Our team, including Stromberg/Garrigan & Associates, and ConsultEcon, Inc, provided a conditions assessment, site and architectural programming, and a business/operations plan in order to understand the physical and financial feasibility of the project. Conceptual drawings and renderings were created that included exhibit space, meeting space, as well as café, retail, and office spaces in the building. The site is in a flood plain, so additional considerations were identified to flood proof the building for future reuses without elevating the building and making it more prominent than the adjacent mound.