Subrosa was originally designed and conceived by Samuel Mockbee as a memorial to recently bereaved friends. After her father's death, Carol Mockbee arrived at the Rural Studio in 2003, as an Outreach student, and single-handedly took the design and built this secret place in the center of Newbern. Having no building or architectural experience this bold concrete undertaking is an extraordinary feat.

It provides, amongst the frenzied activities of the Rural Studio, a place for contemplation, a place to remember Sambo Mockbee and even a place to tell your secrets as the Romans did, 'sub rosa,' underneath the roses.