Concept: Flexible Configuration
“Flexible space is very attractive. It allows dynamism for the artistic community….The idea of flexible space is very exciting. It works for many organizations and events….We need a performance space, but also a creation space.” –Jason Lambert, Thornton Wilder Center for the Arts Advisory Committee
Keene-based Scully/Architects, in collaboration with Nextstage Design, based in New Haven, CT, has provided a preliminary design for Thornton Wilder Center for the Arts, based on the concept of flexible space.
The proposed 17,100 SF design is a two-level plan in which the lobby extends from the current school entrance corridor at the existing floor level. From within the theatre one can look down to a lower level, which has a large open space to provide maximum flexibility.
From the ConVal High School entrance level, the Void site slopes down 18 feet. The conceptual design takes advantage of this elevation change from front to rear of site to accommodate an entry-level lobby and upper seating level, and a stage-level loading dock.