Center for Cancer Research & Therapeutic Development

Lord Aeck Sargent provided programming through schematic design services and provided fundraising graphics for the transformation of the historic Paschal’s Motor Lodge and Restaurant into the Clark Atlanta University Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development (CCRTD). The project seamlessly integrated a state-of-the-art cancer research facility within a historically significant building that once served as a pivotal meeting place for civil rights leaders. The renovated facility, spanning 84,000 square feet, housed advanced research laboratories, vivarium facilities, offices, and collaboration spaces to support the Center's groundbreaking work on prostate cancer, a disease with heightened prevalence among African American men. The project scheme aimed to create flexible, modern research environments that accommodate growth and technological advancements while preserving the building's historic character. The project's design direction emphasized transparency, technology, and interactive spaces to foster collaboration among researchers and engage visitors in the Center's innovative work. Additionally, this redevelopment initiative was poised to rejuvenate the MLK corridor, acting as a catalyst for community revitalization and economic growth.