My Senior Thesis: Updates from Fall Semester

For my Senior Thesis, I'm working with the Ball State University Department of Theatre & Dance to design new facilities that better suit their needs.

Last fall I began the programming stage, which sets up the goals and objectives for the project, assesses current problems + solutions, includes research of any relevant information or codes, evaluates the site + building, and begins conceptual strategies for design. After an entire semester of hard work, I ended up with a whopping 219 page document!!

This spring I'm beginning the design stage, where I'll design ~150,000 SF of space housing all of the department's facilities. These spaces include classrooms, offices, shops for costumes + scenes, and 3 theaters. It'll be a LOT of work but I'm so excited to start!

Progress on design will come in the following weeks... but for now, I'll walk you through the highlights of my work from last fall.

The Framing Stage: Introduces the project and sets up the project goals

The Supporting Stage: Provides relevant project information for use as support when designing the project.

The Localizing Stage: Evaluates the site based on context, documents existing conditions of the chosen building/site, and begins the design process

The Conceptualizing Stage: An analysis of concept + branding strategies

If you want to see the entire 219 page document, click here!

Just as in the real world, after finishing the programming stage of this project, the clients decided to throw a curve ball. After presenting the findings, observations, and plans for the new facilities at Northside Middle School, the clients decided they would like to progress with a different building altogether.

This semester, I will continue my design using the Ball State University Arts & Communications Building. This building is currently the home to a majority of the department's facilities already. I'll be totally gutting & redesigning the entire building + adding a large addition to fit all of the department's needs.

Stay tuned for weekly project updates...I'm excited to share!

Natalie