A new view

Center for the Arts taking shape

as renovation, expansion continues

Aesthetically speaking, the Center for the Arts only recently joined the campus. Once facing Osler Drive, the now 305,000 square-foot facility has been reoriented as part of a three-year expansion and renovation project.

The original building, completed in 1973, ‘turned its back' on the rest of the campus, says Mickey Miller, a senior project manager in Facilities Management's Architecture, Engineering and Construction division. “The project architects reconfigured the design so the main entrance looks out over Cross Campus Drive. Now it feels like an integral part of the university."

Miller says visitors to the construction site comment on the stunning view from the newly added top floor. “It's really a different perspective,” he says. ”You see the campus in an entirely new way from up there.”

In addition to consolidating all of TU's fine and performing arts programs under one roof, the center will provide much more functional space. “People got lost in the original building,” Miller says.“We've added features, including a large atrium and a commons area, that help visitors orient themselves."

When reopened in August 2005, galleries and performance venues--including a new Studio Theatre, recital hall and dance studio--will be easy to find, he says.

Even the interior color scheme, once dominated by ‘70s-era primary colors, will be replaced by a decidedly neutral palette. “We're providing a kind of blank canvas for the activities that will be taking place inside,” says Miller.

Now that the center is more than half completed, Miller can stand back and appreciate the physical asset being added to the campus. “At times it's been a challenge to squeeze everything onto the site,” he adds, “but I think it's really shaping up nicely."

Story by Jan Lucas

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