A New Vision for the Arts
This capital improvement project with Oneida City School District focused on revamping their 1957 Auditorium and Music wing, increasing gathering space within the Lobby, reorganizing the Music suite, and modernizing the Auditorium’s technology, systems and finishes.
The new Auditorium Lobby addition achieves a multi-purpose method of learning and discovery to their arts wing, both indoors and outdoors. It was important for the design to acknowledge that the experience begins and ends at the Lobby, setting the mood for any performances from start to finish.
Enhanced Accessibility and Site Integration
The Lobby entrance, which originally faced the courtyard, was repositioned to align with the face of campus, restoring crucial green space and improving circulation, accessibility and safety.
Daylighting within the lobby space is achieved with high thermal performance of a triple-layered roof glazing system along with a ballistic rated curtain wall and storefront systems.
The interior side of the curtain wall is ready for large gatherings with built-in seating, charging ports and visual display technology.
The lobby is also equipped with event sound and video systems that can be used in the Lobby to live stream performances within the Auditorium. The lobby also holds a concessions space that duals as the student school store during the day, equipped with communications systems back to the Music classrooms for queuing during events.
Blurring the Lines: Indoor and Outdoor Learning
The shape of the exterior limestone seating walls outside of the lobby is reminiscent of an outdoor amphitheater.
Designed during the pandemic, the outdoor classroom space was coveted for instructional and breakout space for students. The stone and metal panel finishes on the exterior extend to the interiors, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.
The outdated Auditorium received a complete overhaul, the new design features wood paneling with custom perforated metal panels that improve acoustics and allow for programmable lighting to aid in the dramatics of a performance.
The control booth was relocated to the rear, optimizing seating layout, and tablet arms were added to seats creating a dual-functioning space for testing and presentations. A new metal light bridge replaced the old wood plank catwalk above the ceiling clouds.
