Aidan Kurtz: Performing Arts Academy of Columbia

About the Project 

The Performing Arts Academy of Columbia is a hypothetical magnet school dedicated to the performing arts, specifically music, theatre, and dance, though others could be facilitated. The building is centered at the crest of a hill at the intersection of Turner Ave. and Providence Rd., just across from U-Centre, and has excellent views of both downtown Columbia, as well as the distant landscape of Southside Columbia. The design is structured along two axes, both running parallel to a section of providence rd. At each end of the axes are designated performance spaces with the main auditorium housed beneath a perforated gradient façade on one end, and a simple blackbox theatre on the other. The rationale behind this design was primarily focused on solving the challenge of facilitating two similar, but different needs for arts. Subsequently, the building’s design reflects that by separating them. However, keeping in mind the adaptability of performing arts, both spaces are still malleable enough to house any task. Additionally, the actual student space (classrooms, library, etc.) is the conduit between the two. Therefore, a student does not need to walk from one end of the building to another to get to class from a performance space, or vice versa. The following is the culmination of my efforts to solve these design challenges in an aesthetically and functionally pleasing way.

About the Project 

  • Title of Work: Performing Arts Academy of Columbia
  • Medium: Three architectural boards containing renders, plans, sections, elevations, sketches, and other detail items.
  • Student's Name: Aidan Kurtz
  • Major: Architectural Studies (Architectural Studies)
  • Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
  • Hometown: St. Louis, Mo, United States
  • Student's Mentor: Lyria Bartlett
  • Mentor's Department: Architectural Studies

Comments