One of the fastest growing universities in Texas, Sam Houston State University has become renowned for its strong theater and music curriculum, earning recognition by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival and the Broadway Theatre Project.
Envisioned was a new building that would unite the existing music building and theater center, forming a comprehensive fine arts complex. Shared by theater, dance and music departments, it was important that distinct identities be retained for each, yet allow for crossover utilization.
The narrow, constricted site, bounded by perpendicular roadways, posed a challenging 17-foot grade change between the existing buildings and the buildable area.
The building is designed to provide extensions to the existing music and theater departments, in addition to creating a new home for the dance department. Separate zones were created for music, theater and dance spaces with pedestrian links to the existing theater and music buildings. To distinguish the dance spaces from the music spaces distinctive sloped roofs were created for the performance hall of each discipline which gives the departments their own identity.
The east zone is dedicated to a 150-seat dance theater, three theater rehearsal studios, body conditioning room, costume shop, scenery shop and offices. Four large second floor dance studios are cantilevered to allow access to ground level chilled water lines. A sloped roof caps the dance theater, forming a separate identity while architecturally relating to the concert hall. Bronze metal panels embellish both spaces, visually tying them to the metal cladding found on the existing theater center. Brick and cast stone accents further blend with surrounding campus structures.
The 7,000 square foot shared lobby is positioned between the dance and music departments and is capable of serving multiple performances simultaneously. It links directly to an outdoor performance area, terraced to accommodate the steep grade change. Both spaces work together to showcase the arts and offer a congregation area for students and visitors.
Due to height restrictions, the building occupies a long and narrow footprint. Several measures were taken to incorporate natural light, including the see-through lobby with glass entrances, and 15’ high windows along the north facing dance studios. An open stair with clerestory anchors the dance space and creates the illusion of an abstract, floating dancer.
The university required that a portion of the construction cost be allocated to art throughout the building. A wood and metal sculpture by noted artist James Surles has been commissioned for the main lobby.
The project was designed and constructed utilizing Building Information Management, or BIM, which proved invaluable in modeling and coordinating the many systems and disciplines involved. For example, due to the precise nature of acoustics required in the concert hall, systems had to be designed for their enhancement. Roof drains required encasement to attenuate the sound of rain, and duct placement had to accommodate the sloped roof feature. Using BIM during the design phases, the entire team was able to assure interdependence by checking space availability, identifying constraints and envisioning and discussing outcomes through 3D modeling. Using BIM during construction enabled accurate coordination of all trades, with the 3D model serving as the central information source to identify building parameters.
A number of sustainable features were incorporated into the design of the complex:
• Insulated metal panels result in energy savings and acoustical isolation.
• The majority of daylight enters the building through north facing windows for minimal climate impact. Light coming through south facing windows is controlled through shading devices.
• No newly cut old growth timber products were used in the building.
• All materials, adhesives and sealants are low VOC-emitting.
• Resilient tiles are PVC-free.
• An energy analysis was performed to determined solar radiation levels in the main lobby. As a result, steps were taken to minimize hot spots through shades or glazing reorientation.
