Fine Arts Center: University of Arkansas

HISTORYWEST FACADE-Daytime VIEW

Screens + Brick

The original intentions of Ed Stone were to connect the art disciplines with a shared building and provide them with an improved presence on campus. Connections to nature and daylighting also have a strong character in his design solution. Although once state of the art, throughout the years the disciplines have outgrown the building and poor maintenance has led to its unrecognized significance on campus.

Screens were an important part of Stone’s designs; specifically to the Fine Arts Center. On the far left, an image of the brick screen wall on the west side of the courtyard, and at the right an image of the metal mesh curtain Stone designed for the ceiling of the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall show his use of screens on the complex. To reflect on Stone’s historical use of screens we conducted a study of brick wall screens that could be used as a facade for the western face of the lecture hall wing. This brick screen facade also acts as a sun shading device for the classrooms inside, as seen at far left. The brick screening device also becomes a beacon at night when the interior spaces are illuminated and casting their glow through the screen.

The interior parti of wood slats runs throughout the new and existing spaces creating a sense of connection. These slats, seen at left in model form and at right in rendering, form screens and planes throughout the space to further emphasize Stone’s original screen usage and guide users throughout the space.

Brick was selected as the main material for the new additions to the Fine Arts Center to maintain a relationship with the existing building and its surroundings. The coloration includes a lighter tan hue to tie in with the color of the existing brick, but also includes a deep red and black to set itself apart as a new addition. The brick was also used to emphasize both the new black box and lecture hall as distinct volumes within the space by continuing the brick on the interior of the forms. Cove lighting is used around the perimeter of the forms to highlight the forms further and reveal the texture of the brick as a unique experience in the space.

Challenges + OPPORTUNITIESBlack box theater additionAdditional/renovated theater classrooms and support spacesRenovated gallery: theft and sunlight protectionRevitalization of courtyardTicket sales box for theatersNew rake of theater and added balconyAcoustics of Greek theater/outdoor performance spaceConcert Hall renovationRemoval of parking, additional parking, moving parkingRenovation of bridge between FAC and Music BuildingClassroom/Studio wing and/or Music Building renovation

GOALSRetain Stone’s original intentions: Connections between disciplines Connections with nature and views Communicate similar form languageCreate an arts district across the campusRestore a sense of pride about the buildingIncrease community and campus presence

SOLUTIONInterior parti to visually connect disciplinesCreate new courtyard as an axis off existingCreate inhabitable green roof for improved viewsAddition and placement of black box theaterProvide users with favored spaces on campusNew facilities provide opportunities for hosting galas, receptions, philanthropies, and other community events.

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1 lobby 7 GREEN ROOM2 lecture hall 8 LOUNGE3 classroom 9 THEATER4 courtyard 10 SHOP5 dressing room 11 BLACK BOX6 storage

Ground floor plan1/16” = 1’-0”

WEST ELEVATION3/32” = 1’-0”

EXISTING BRICK SCREEN WALL ED STONE SCREEN WALL EXISTING METAL MESH CURTAIN

Circulation

Courtyards

New additions + Renovations

BRICK SCREEN STUDY

BLACK BOX ENTRY WEST FACADE-Evening VIEW

BLACK BOX APPROACH

BRICK SCREEN STUDYBRICK SCREEN STUDY

INTERIOR OF LECTURE HALL-BRICK SCREEN

LECTURE HALL-ILLUMINATED BRICK SCREEN

WOOD SLAT CONNECTIONS-INTERIOR PARTI