Our design for this auditorium renovation on the Upper West Side balances the functional requirements of a multipurpose space for elementary-aged students with a modern aesthetic that reflects the elevated design of the school's other public-facing areas. Proportions and materiality were carefully chosen to allow the space to seamlessly operate across a wide range of functions as required by the school: music hall, theater, after-school gathering space, classroom, art gallery, event space, lecture hall, etc. A floor-to-ceiling curtain can also be deployed to split the space in two and allow multiple smaller events to occur simultaneously.

A series of rich wood panels along the perimeter walls unify the space while concealing access to a variety of storage and supporting rooms. A floating coffered ceiling similarly conceals a range of lighting, audio-visual, and rigging connections that can be utilized quickly depending on the use of the space.