Complete reconfiguration of 1932-era, 4 story building with Shaffer Theatre restoration
This building, recognized in the State Register of Historic Places, lacked the modern amenities necessary to properly support the college’s music and theater programs. The exterior was repaired and egress and life safety issues were addressed in an unobtrusive way to maintain the original character.The Tipton/HMS solution completely reconfigured the interior while restoring the Shaffer Theatre.Shaffer Theatre restoration includes moving the rear wall to create light and sound locks as well as creating two large openings in the ceiling to create catwalks and provide for air distribution into the space.The solution restores and enhances the distinctive art deco elements of the original prosecenium theatre and main lobby.Introducing new, state-of-the-art classrooms and practice facilities, enriches the daily academic activities.Extensive programming exercises with the client resulted in new classrooms, offices, faculty studios, rehearsal spaces, practice rooms and storage.The resulting building is in keeping with the historical look of the campus and provides the School of Music and Theatre Department all the facilities needed to continue in their teaching.
This project was a collaborative effort of the HMS Architects / Tipton Associates design team to completely reconfigure this 1932-era Music & Dramatic Arts Building. The design solution honored its connection to the past and provided modern amenities to support the college’s music and theater programs. This project restored and enhanced the distinctive art deco elements of the original 424- seat proscenium theatre and main lobby and introduced new, state-of-the-art classrooms and practice facilities. The front façade plaster was extensively repaired in keeping with the historical look of the campus.
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Area
101,000 sf
Construction Cost
$16 million
Recognition
AIA Gulf States 2012 Honor Award
South Central Construction’s Best of 2010 Award of Merit
