Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre

Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
© Mark Herboth

LAUREN KENNEDY AND ALAN CAMPBELL THEATRE

Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee

ARCHITECTS
Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee

PHOTOGRAPHS
Mark Herboth

YEAR
2009

LOCATION
United States

CATEGORY
Theater

Text description provided by architect.

The Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre establishes a home for a burgeoning theater program at Barton College, a small liberal arts school in eastern North Carolina.

Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
© Mark Herboth
Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
© Mark Herboth

Owing to its location on the campus, the theater creates two spaces: one fronts the campus’ iconic chapel, the other works in conjunction with the Fine Arts and Music Building to create an arts quad where theater patrons, actors, and students mingle before and after performances.

The shifting asymmetrical wall planes of the building exterior attempt to visually represent the energy and dynamic nature of the theatrical performance.

Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
© Mark Herboth
Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
© Mark Herboth

The black box itself is a simple flexible performance and teaching venue allowing great variability in stage and seating configurations.

The project addresses both programmatic and spatial complexity on a modest budget. The glass enclosed lobby offers a generous, light-filled counterpoint to the black box.

A series of bypassing brick walls and terraces extend into the courtyard, anchoring the building to the site.

Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
© Mark Herboth
Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
© Mark Herboth

Brick used for the project blends in color and texture with the architectural heritage of the campus

A sheltering roof plane extends overhead providing a visual connection and shade for the lobby and outdoor terraces.

Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
© Mark Herboth


Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
elevation
Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
section


Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
site plan
Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre
ground floor plan