Rock Valley College

Opportunity: Rock Valley College has enjoyed a strong arts program for decades, however the facilities for various disciplines are scattered and technically out-of-date.  The College identified a need for a new facility that would consolidate these programs, advance artistic education, and support the production of performing arts events.

Solution: Booth Hansen designed a new Arts Instructional Center that will bring together the theatre, music, visual and graphic arts departments. The proximity of these departments will promote enriching interdisciplinary study.  The 112,000 square foot building will house two performance facilities; one a 500-seat concert hall and another a 330-seat thrust stage theatre. The theatres will be surrounded with all necessary support functions including a scene shop, dressing rooms and make-up labs. The music department will gain its own support spaces for music study and instruction such as rehearsal rooms, instruction labs and instrument storage. In addition, visual art students will gain cohesive new spaces with studios for drawing, painting, ceramics, 2D design, computer graphics, photography, screen printing, pressing and a state-of-the-art gallery for art exhibitions.  The building will also contain classrooms for general instruction.  The facility will be designed to meet LEED 2009 Gold accreditation.

Value: This new collection of spaces will bring unity to the already strong arts program at Rock Valley College. The proximity of these departments will promote enriching interdisciplinary study.  The building’s central Student Forum will become an active hub of student interaction and serve as a focal point for campus events and programming.

Team:
Design: Scott Cyphers, Larry Booth
Management: Charlie Stetson
Technical: John Birazzi