NBM’s ‘A South Forty’: An Architectural Roadtrip through the South

The National Building Museum has opened its latest exhibit, A SOUTH FORTY: Contemporary Architecture and Design in the American South, which will be on view through Winter 2026.

Curated by Peter MacKeith, dean and professor at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, and designed by Jonathan Boelkins, architect and exhibition designer, the exhibition highlights the vibrant and distinctive architectural practices emerging from the American South.

A SOUTH FORTY offers a cross-section of the dynamic evolution of contemporary architecture in the American South over the last generation. It features the work of more than forty architectural practices drawn from the southeastern United States, spanning from the North Carolina Atlantic coast to an inflection point in Oklahoma, along U.S. Highway 40.

The exhibition brings to light the ways in which modern architecture in the South is moving beyond traditional typologies and stereotypes, emphasizing the region’s unique responses to rapid growth, natural disasters, and a more complex and diverse identity.

A SOUTH FORTY highlights projects across scales, from private homes to significant public buildings, with a particular focus on civic architecture that strengthens and enriches communities.

“As the National Building Museum, we are dedicated to inspiring curiosity about the world we design and build. A SOUTH FORTY exemplifies our mission by offering an in-depth look at the rich and evolving architectural landscape of the American South,” said Aileen Fuchs, President and Executive Director of the National Building Museum. “This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore how the region’s architecture is reshaping its communities, while telling a broader story of place-based design, creativity, and resilience.”

The exhibition also underscores the significance of place-based design, which balances environmental, cultural, and social contexts. Architects in the region are working in both urban centers and rural landscapes, acknowledging the region’s history and traditions while addressing contemporary needs. As such, the exhibition emphasizes how Southern architecture creates meaningful, lasting connections with communities, through buildings that are designed to withstand both time and the elements.