State University of New York at Potsdam, Performing Arts Center
Potsdam, NY

Pfeiffer Partners is currently planning and designing the new Performing Arts Center at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Potsdam. The building will accommodate the academic and performance needs of theater and dance, bringing both disciplines together in an integrated, highly activated facility. Located adjacent to the campus\' Crane Music Complex, the new building will complement the existing architecture of the music buildings, yet establish its own image and identity, enhancing the visibility of the Arts on campus. Connections between the new building and the Crane School of Music will not only provide ease of movement between the two buildings but--more importantly--foster interaction between the various artistic disciplines. The new state-of-the-art facility will include a variety of performance spaces, including a 350-seat proscenium theater with fixed seating; a 100-seat black box theater; and 4,000 square feet of dance performance space with flexible seating on telescopic risers. Additional building components include a public lobby, café, two large studios, a physical conditioning room, recording studio and performer support spaces, including dressing rooms and a green room. Back-of-house areas include a scene shop, costume shop and associated storage. Classrooms will include an Education Lab for training teachers in the Arts, a Digital/Audio Studio, a Design/Drafting Lab, a CAD Lab and a Lighting Lab. The new building will also house faculty offices and student organization space. The firm\'s work began with program verification, cost evaluation and site analysis, exploring potential connections, pedestrian circulation patterns, open space, parking, loading, servicing and vehicular drop-off options. Schematic Design work is currently underway, with construction expected to proceed in 2011.