Plans for Rebuilding
Center for Community, Arts, and Culture
The Center for Community, Arts and Culture is at the heart of the Conservancy’s effort to help rebuild key public programming spaces at Saint Peter’s destroyed by the 2021 city water main break.
A rendering of the renovated Theatre lobby shows a seating area, ticket booth, and lighting that provides an open and welcoming space.
A before picture of the Theatre at Saint Peter's Lobby: flood cuts and bare floors are visible as we prepare for construction to update and repair this area.
A rendering of the renovated Theatre lobby shows a seating area, ticket booth, and lighting that provides an open and welcoming space.
A before picture of the Theatre at Saint Peter's Lobby: flood cuts and bare floors are visible as we prepare for construction to update and repair this area.
A rendering of the renovated Theatre lobby shows a seating area, ticket booth, and lighting that provides an open and welcoming space.
A before picture of the Theatre at Saint Peter's Lobby: flood cuts and bare floors are visible as we prepare for construction to update and repair this area.
A Renovated Theatre
In the Center, there will be a renovated Theatre. The design restores the original black box from 1977 with upgrades and flexibility to allow for an array of works, including readings, plays, and musicals. The Conservancy is contracting with an experienced theater operator to work with theater companies when staging and developing performances.
One potential configuration for a show in the black box theatre, which is a two story sound isolated performance space.
A before image of the Black Box Theater: The stage, lighting rigs, and other items have been fully removed following the devastating flood.
The black box theatre offers complete flexibility as a performance space.
One potential configuration for a show in the black box theatre, which is a two story sound isolated performance space.
A previous configuration of the Black Box Theatre prior to the water main break.
One potential configuration for a show in the black box theatre, which is a two story sound isolated performance space.
The Loft
The Loft reflects the modular nature of the Vignelli-designed interiors on the street levels and serves the multi-purpose reality of the organization. With smaller meeting rooms around the perimeter, The Loft can be configured in many ways, including an exhibition space, a projection room, or different combined uses. Inherent is both is both openness for events and public programs, and privacy for meetings and consultations.
A before picture of the Multipurpose Room at Saint Peter's. This room shows the walls cut for the flooded waters in an otherwise bare room.
Recital Hall
This Recital Hall was a large two-story space. Acoustical paneling provided some acoustical isolation and enhancement. The renovation will allow groups and individuals to use a renovated and state-of-the-art space, ideal for ensemble rehearsals or small performances. Its flexibility also lends itself well to use for medium scale meetings, presentations and workshops.
A before image of the music room where acoustical panelling and flooring has been fully removed following the flood.
This Recital Hall will offer an intimate performance space with the flexibility to be used as a dance rehearsal studio or meeting room.
Rehearsal Studios
A series of small-scale rehearsal spaces will be acoustically isolated, allowing for multiple rehearsals, lessons and/or musical warm-up to happen simultaneously.
A before image of a room which will become a rehearsal space: flood cuts exposing the metal framework and bare floors are visible in a the floor damaged space.
A rendering of a rehearsal space with acoustical panels and visibility to the surrounding areas. These rooms are considered for small groups to be able to meet and rehearse comfortably.
A rendering of a rehearsal space with acoustical panels and visibility to the surrounding areas. These rooms are considered for small groups to be able to meet and rehearse comfortably.
Upholding Vignelli Designs
Restoration of areas devastated by the city water main break will see intentional and distinct continuity with the celebrated original Vignelli-designed spaces. The remodeled space feature Caledonia granite stretching across the floor, with organized and clean architectural elements to welcome people into an entire floor level dedicated to the performing arts and community.
Expressions of light throughout the Center for Community, Arts and Culture will help the lobby and corridors, in particular, feel spacious and airy—simulating the vital feeling of natural light underground, light being an iconic architectural feature of our Street and Plaza Levels.
We engaged with MQ Architecture in 2021: MQA’s work for The Conservancy is inspired by a study of the work of Lella and Massimo Vignelli. Through previous projects, the firm has been afforded intimate opportunities to get to know the original design intent and have been particularly inspired by the Vignellis’ passion for the square and the grid, a proportional harmony among elements, and a deliberate use of materials, patterns, colors, and wood finishes.