Roschel Performing Arts Center
Lancaster, Penn.
R.M.Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects

The design of this performing arts center demonstrates maximum flexibility

© Lori Stahl Photography

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Winner of an invited competition, the Roschel Performing Arts Center is the new home of the Department of Theater, Dance, and Film for Franklin and Marshall College. The arts center consists of a new wing joined to a renovated, former swimming pool building. A 305-seat theater, lobby, scene shop, and mechanical spaces compose the new wing, while dance studios, classrooms, and a costume shop fill the renovated building.

The defining elements of the new wing are the curved arcade that connects the renovated dance studios to the student center and, rising behind the arcade, the rectangular, barrel-vaulted enclosure of the theater. The arcade is made of brick and cast stone, with painted aluminum windows.

The dance studios in the renovated former pool building take advantage of the high ceilings and large windows to provide airy, naturally lit spaces. The glazed corridor that adjoins the dance studios serves as a student-gathering place that overlooks a plaza and connects to the theater lobby. This in turn is connected to the café in the student center, to form continuous and varying gathering spaces for the department and the academic community.

The design demonstrates optimum flexibility and accessibility. For example, clerestory windows can be blacked out, the orchestra pit can be converted to a thrust stage, and the scene shop has direct access to the loading area and service drive.

Formal name of Project:
Roschel Performing Arts Center

Location:
Lancaster, Penn.

Gross square footage:
Total Construction: 42,500 sq. ft
Renovation:13,300 sq. ft
New Construction: 29,200 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$9.8 million

Owner:
Franklin & Marshall College
501 Harrisburg Pike
Lancaster PA 17603

Architect:
R.M.Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects
255 West 26 Street
New York, NY 10001
212,243.7400
fax 212.633.9769
www.kliment-halsband.com