Amani Event Center
Client: Amani Event Center, operated by Subud Washington DC, Beltsville, MD
Scope: Website design and development, UX strategy, content architecture, ongoing site evolution, marketing support
Role: Design, UX strategy, front-end implementation, content restructuring, platform migration, long-term site stewardship
Platform: Bootstrap (custom build) →Squarespace
Timeline: 2017 – Present
Key phases:
2017 (initial design & build)
2019 (virtual tour integration)
2023 (platform migration)
2025-2026 (planned enhancements)
URL: amanieventcenter.org
Context: Amani Event Center is a community-run venue operating on a limited budget, with staff responsible for event coordination and facility upkeep. The website needed to serve as a primary information resource for prospective renters—clearly communicating space dimensions, amenities, accessibility, parking, and logistics—while minimizing administrative back-and forth.
The Challenge: The original WordPress site was unmaintained, insecure, and ineffective at showcasing the venue or supporting event inquiries. Prospective renters lacked clear information about capacities, layouts, amenities, and logistics, resulting in increased administrative burden and misaligned inquiries.
Over time, the organization also needed a platform that could evolve alongside changing business goals, marketing needs, and staffing capacity.
The Solution: The project unfolded over multiple phases, each responding to specific organization and technical needs. In addition to the website, I created supporting visual assets—including floor plan diagrams and an informational flyer—used both on the site and in direct outreach:
2017: A full redesign and rebuild using Bootstrap to create a secure, low-maintenance site that clearly presented the venue’s offerings.
2019: Integration of a Matterport virtual tour, enabling prospective clients to explore the space remotely and improving pre-inquiry decision-making.
2023: Migration to Squarespace 7.1 to simplify content management, improve visual flexibility, and reduce ongoing maintenance requirements.
Ongoing: Strategic planning for future enhancements, including CTA improvements, testimonials, and updated photography.
Key design decisions included
Using high-quality, on-site photography to help visitors visualize the venue and understand how the space functions for different event types.
Creating custom floor plan diagrams derived from architectural blueprints to clearly communicate room dimensions, layouts, and capacities
Developing downloadable information materials—including floor plans and an event overview flyer—that support both online browsing and offline planning
Structuring content to surface logistical details (amenities, accessibility, parking) early in the decision process, reducing unnecessary inquiries.
Selecting platforms and tools that balance visual flexibility with long-term maintainability within a constrained operating budget.
The Result: The Amani Event Center website has become a stable, flexible marketing and information hub that supports diverse event bookings while significantly reducing administrative overhead. Its phased evolution reflects changing organizational needs while maintaining continuity for returning users and staff.
What This Project Demonstrates
Long-term stewardship of a mission-driven website
Ability to evolve a digital product across platforms and years
UX design that balances marketing, operations, and accessibility
Strategic decision-making around platform choice and maintenance
Designing for real-world constraints, not idealized scenarios
