 PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Blinn College System
functions on four campuses throughout Central Texas. The
original main campus is in Brenham, Texas. The architect was
charged with creating a facility that would accommodate the
following: a teaching space, a space where all main campus
teachers could gather for meetings at one time, a
performance space for the 75-piece concert band, expansion
space for the drama department and a quality presentation
venue for the region. The original budget of $3 million was
expanded to include the larger seating count of 502 seats
and to encircle the existing theatre-in-the-round (circa
1971), which was minimally effective as designed.
The architect created
computer-generated drawings with acoustical analysis to
determine interior materials, reflection and absorption
characteristics, and projected sound quality. This generated
certain parameters that had to be respected throughout the
design process. Because this theatre is also a teaching
space, ADA considerations were used to create the basic
design and circulation patterns throughout the structure.
 Blinn College hired
Killis Almond, FAIA, to produce Preliminary Designs and
budgets so that they could work with the potential donor of
the structure. The original designs were modified in the
winter of 1999 and construction began May 2000. Projected
completion date is August 15, 2001.
The space includes new
ADA dressing rooms, a large stage with dance floor, workshop
and storage space, and new mechanical systems for the new
theatre and the existing theatre-in-the-round which is being
modified into a Black Box venue. |