FORDify the Arts Courtyard: From Concept to Community
The transformation of an empty asphalt alley into a permanent public gathering space speaks to the power of architecture to shape community experiences. For Interstruct, this project was a firm-wide effort—an opportunity for our architecture studio, construction management team, and field crew to contribute to a shared civic vision.
In January 2020, Ryan Young presented his architecture team’s design concept at a fundraiser hosted by CityArts Orlando at the historic Ford Kiene Building. What began as a set of renderings evolved into a lasting contribution to Downtown Orlando’s cultural landscape.
Over four years, the design was shaped by intentional choices—most notably, the repurposing of materials salvaged from the former Church Street Ballroom. Elements like steel archways and reclaimed bricks were thoughtfully integrated into the courtyard, blending the area’s history with a renewed sense of place.
The FORDify the Arts Courtyard was completed in December 2024 and earned a 2024 Golden Brick Award for Public Works and Placemaking, recognizing its impact on Orlando’s urban core and arts community.
Further Explore This Project
See the final FORDify the Arts Courtyard project photos on our portfolio.
See the media release about the FORDify the Arts Courtyard groundbreaking on July 10, 2024
Learn about the first fundraiser at CityArts Orlando to support the FORDify the Arts Courtyard.
