University of New Hampshire
Durham, N.H.

As Ayers/Saint/Gross was preparing a campus master plan for the University of New Hampshire, the administration requested a feasibility study to analyze the existing physical conditions of the Paul Creative Arts Center and its ability to support current and projected academic requirements of the departments of music, theater, dance, art, and art history.

A six-phase flexible plan was produced to accommodate combinations of restoration and construction, including:

• New free-standing building with 250-seat recital hall, 175-seat black box theater, and stage and performer support spaces
• New art gallery connected to the new performance venue (above) for display of permanent and traveling collections, reception space, and offices
• Infrastructure upgrades to maximize existing programs
• New 500-seat auditorium with orchestra pit for musical and theater productions as well as other large-audience events
• New art building off-site to allow expansion of the music and theater departments on the current site
• Renovation of the Creative Arts Center to accept large and small dance studios with costume storage and administrative spaces.

This last phase puts dance, music, and theater under one roof as an integrated performing arts facility.

Study Completion: 2003