The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: Performing Arts Complex

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

PHOTOS © ALBERT VECERKA / ESTO

The Performing Arts Complex at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a gateway that celebrates and nurtures the arts in Edinburg and surrounding communities. Designed by multidisciplinary architecture and engineering firm, Page, its specialized resources enhance the music and dance curriculum at UTRGV and support the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The 94,000-square-foot complex consists of two existing, fully renovated buildings and a new 1,050-seat theater with dedicated rehearsal spaces. Designed in the architectural vocabulary of the existing campus, the new building’s 20-inch-thick brick walls are punctuated with a syncopated arrangement of circular and orthogonal windows that allude to the program and express a playfulness appropriate for the arts.

The two existing buildings and the new theater together define a shaded outdoor courtyard for student gatherings and informal performances. The generous porch on the theater’s south elevation provides sheltered pre-function space, and it acts as a thick threshold to the campus beyond. Large areas of glass create visual connections between inside and outside, so that events are visible from the street and the community feels welcome.

The wide porch creates a bridge from the lush landscape to a gracious lobby. The lobby emphasizes connections to the porch and courtyard by bringing both floor and ceiling finishes from the porch to the interior, and incorporates lounge seating and visual art that encourage patrons to linger. Playful cutouts in the interior walls offer glimpses of vertical circulation to aid wayfinding.

The stage and its relationship with the audience are quite original. The design responds to the unique performance requirements of Mariachi, a central feature of the musical heritage in this region, which borders Mexico. Wings extend out from the stage on either side of the audience to allow performers to intensify the musical experience. For more traditional music performances, these wings are used for special audience seating that is level with the performers.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • CSU Pueblo Installs Solar-Powered Charging Benches

    Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) recently announced that it has installed four solar-powered charging benches from Bluebolt Outdoor, LLC, according to a news release.

  • Delta State University Completes Renovations to School of Nursing Facilities

    Delta State University recently completed a major expansion and renovation project for the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing facilities on its campus in Cleveland, Miss., according to a news release. The project includes about 14,000 square feet of new construction and more than 21,000 square feet of renovation work to the existing space.

  • Lawrence Group Announces Expansion of Student Housing Studio

    Integrated planning and design firm Lawrence Group recently announced that it has hired Nick Naeger, AIA, as the new Associate Principal / Senior Project Manager at its headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., according to a news release.

Digital Edition