Title: Ingrained
Location of Proejct: Cayce, South Carolina
Project Completion Date: April 25, 2022
Firm Name:

Short Description: Artistic Cayce, South Carolina is home to design businesses and local coffee shops. Art was introduced to the area to revitalize the town's center. The site is currently used as a path to the Cayce Quarry. The design challenge is to create a performing arts center once the quarry is not in use. The building's hierarchy was used to outline the two most important features, the western blackbox theater and the eastern ballet studio. The building's grain indicates the flow of pedestrian traffic, where the atmosphere and purpose drastically changes based on which grain is being followed, horizontal or vertical.

Architect's Statement: SITE CONTEXT AND DESIGN CHALLENGE
The site is set in Cayce, South Carolina, in Richland County. The site is east of the Cayce art district, north of Cayce Quarry, and west of Congaree River. Railroad tracks are placed north and south of the site.
The art district has small shops once abandoned. Now they hold small design businesses, coffee shops, etc. Many buildings also hold murals outside.
Currently, the site is used to carry materials to and from the quarry, which is currently in use.
The proposed project is for a performing arts center to replace the site once the quarry is not in use. The master plan must be conscious of the trails that cut through the site and the pedestrian traffic that may come from down-town Cayce.

MASTER PLAN
The master plan uses the pre-existing trail and expands on it to connect the whole site. Parking is one way to help flow. Drivers can park close to the building or further away based on their purpose for visiting, whether that is to use the arts center or to use the trail. Trees are planted north of the site to block the sound of the trains. However, the south rail is currently not in use.

CONSIDERATIONS

PERFORMANCE
The first consideration in this project was the performance spaces. These areas were separated so that important events could run in different parts of the building at the same time. This way, the audience is spread out and the noise in the blackbox and ballet theater do not interrupt each other. However, these large spaces are fluid, as they can be used to practice when shows are not running.
LEARNING
Educational spaces were considered next, as they help aid the performance areas. The east side of the building holds all learning areas, such as studios and practice rooms.
Spaces are designed to be fluid. Although there are specific studios for dance and orchestra, the ballet studio or black box can be used for rehearsals, or studio spaces can be used for theater classes.
PUBLIC
Visitors were considered after learning spaces, since they are the ones who will be visiting the center’s shows. Public spaces were placed on the west side, towards downtown. A cafe can be used by down-town visitors or as a concession stand for the shows. Both traditional binary bathrooms and multi-toileted genderless bathrooms are incorporated in the design. This way, any visitor can be comfortable using the bathroom.
SUPPORT
Supporting areas were tucked in the back and hidden from regular visitors. Backstage dressing rooms and the loading dock are on the left back side, and a costume shop is connected directly to the ballet studio. These direct connections are crucial for supporting spaces. A woodshop, which can be both supporting and educational, is placed near the studio classrooms.

SCHEME
The parti model explored grain and hierarchy. The model influenced design decisions as the project became more defined. The project’s title, Ingrained symbolizes its blend into the artistic site context and the influence that grain has on the mass and interior.

FLOOR PLAN
The building is broken up into two sections. The west side holds public-use facilities, like the cafe, fluid exhibit space, and blackbox theater. The east side holds student-use facilities, like the ballet studio, dance and orchestra studios, practice rooms, and costume shop. These two sides are connected through a central hallway that acts as a waiting room for either side. Entrances on the west and east side accommodate visitors coming from down-town Cayce or the parking lot.
To strengthen the bond between the two sides, an outside amphitheater is placed as a hang-out spot.
The basement is utilized for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.
Administrative facilities are located upstairs, above the fluid exhibit space. Similar to downstairs, the office space is open and fluid to encourage a more collaborative work environment.