PRESENTATION DAY!

I don't even know what to say. This project has been the main focus on my life for the past 10 months and now it's done.

I was one of three students selected to work with the Department of Theater and Dance at Ball State University, which needs to expand their current facilities. I chose to focus on their performance areas and looked into relocating them to a downtown location. I think this could provide the community with some much needed foot traffic and give downtown more vibrancy.

I wanted to preserve some of the historic aspects of the existing buildings. Sticking with the facade colors, I designed an adaptive facade which features louvers that will move with the sun. The mirrors the movement found in a kaleidoscope - which is my concept - and the dynamic qualities found in theater and dance.

The public will enter through the front doors into the grand, four story atrium. Here they are greeted by light-columns which can be programmed to different colors and a grand staircase finished with a dichoric iridescent glass film.

The restrooms are designed to be inclusive, allowing any person to use the same facilities. Not only does this help to prevent discrimination, but it also is a helpful accommodation for families and adult caretakers.

Feature walls are a major focus on my design, each representing one of the three programs within the department. The dance studio entrance incorporates circular panels to reflect the inherent movement found in dance. The theater entrance focuses on triangles to represent the dynamic qualities of theater. Finally, the student and staff entrance highlights the wide range of concentrations and reflects the building blocks of production through a very linear design.

As for material selections throughout, I wanted to ensure enough diversity and interest without being too overwhelming. Finally, I designed a new logo to represent the department's new identity.

Overall, I believe this new facility will bring an increased cultural and art awareness to a demographic that otherwise wouldn't experience it ❤