Theater Project

For this project, we were given an existing site located at 141 Division Street in Farmingdale New York. It is an existing residential property with an existing 2 story brick house located in parking field 3 on Main Street. 

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The Mayor of Farmingdale approached us with the request to convert this site into a Black Box Theater. The theater would serve not only as a flexible performance venue but also enhance Farmingdale's Downtown mixed-use district and contribute to it's cultural identity. The theater was envisioned as a landmark destination that would activate the streetscape, draw visitors into the village center, and support nearby businesses.

 

With a capacity for a range of performances and community events, the design needed to emphasize adaptability to accommodate both intimate gatherings as well as larger productions. The building massing and materiality were carefully considered to respect the surrounding residential fabric while presenting a contemporary civic presence. Ultimately, the project sought to transform an underutilized site into a vibrant hub of creativity, education, and cultural exchange.

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The original request from the town was for a theater to be constructed that could house an audience of 130-180 people. In order to accommodate a theater of this size, the mayor allowed us a 35 foot extension to the north end of the site. While this change was necessary to allow for the construction of the theater, it caused us to rework a large part of parking field 3 in order to enhance vehicle circulation while improving pedestrian safety. New pathways and designated drop off areas needed to be introduced to create easier and more direct access to the theater entrance.

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My design was developed after extensive research into the different codes and context that affect the site. Through multiple meetings with both my professor and representatives from the town, I was able to refine the program, resolve zoning challenges, and align the proposal with the community goals. This process emphasized the importance of balancing functional requirements with cultural aspirations, resulting in a design that is both practical and symbolic. The final concept reflects not only my own architectural vision, but also the collaborative input of stakeholders, ensuring the theater would stand as a meaningful addition to Farmingdale's downtown fabric. 

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Below you will find the stakeholder set that was submitted to the town, presenting our preliminary ideas, the final presentation drawings prepared for the end of the semester presentation, the full construction documents developed for the project, and the preliminary project description (PPD) summarizing all of the research and analysis that informed the design of the theater.​