Designed specifically for musical events, Mackey Mitchell Architects collaborated with Webster University in St. Louis and the Community Music School of Webster Groves to create a performance hall that would meet the needs of both institutions. The $6 million music venue houses a 470-seat performance hall, a generous two-story, light-filled lobby, rehearsal spaces, a mezzanine level, and typical back-of-house amenities to support performances. The 60' x 120' performance stage seats 80 musicians.
Shape
The restrictive site provided significant challenges to the design team. By locating the practice rooms in the lower level and positioning the building to take advantage of the sloping site, Mackey Mitchell successfully met the practice space needs of the Community Music School students while providing a large performance space to meet the needs of Webster University. The building's graceful roof arc yields an interior ceiling that reflects sound without the need for acoustic reflector clouds. Seating is arranged along each side wall to provide a variety of viewing vantage points.
Inspire
Today the Community Music School continues to contribute to the artistic vibrancy of the St. Louis community through its many community partnerships and programs. Students of all ages and ability levels can learn band and orchestra instruments, piano, guitar, and voice, while monthly recitals offer the chance to hone their performance skills.
Passion + Perspective
Sectional studies are used to understand spatial relationships in the Z axis. This study was used to verify proper ceiling space in the lower level of the building.
This sketch is an early study for the lobby space of the building.
Complex spaces require multiple views. The lobby of the building intersects the entrance to the performance space and required this section to verify the structure was adequate.
To get a thin ceiling plane, the structural members were studied to make sure the design would be successful.
The exterior skin of every building is very important. Here are three brick panels to study the brick color, color blend and mortar color.
It was clear in the first meeting with our music faculty that Mackey Mitchell had the experience and understanding of the project type.
- David Stone (Former) Director of Facility Planning, Webster University
