Wesleyan University to Convert Vacant Factory Space into Arts Lab

  • By Matt Jones
  • 05/30/24

Wesleyan University recently announced the start of construction on a new Integrative Arts Lab for its campus in Middletown, Conn., according to a news release. The university is partnering with Bruner/Cott Architects on the transformation of a vacant factory building into an 18,700-square-foot space that will serve as the “nexus of the arts” on campus. The historic structure, most recently used as a Mohawk Manufacturing Company facility, was originally constructed in 1850 and an addition built in 1922.

The lab will include spaces for visual and performing arts, maker spaces, and a flexible arts commons to encourage interdisciplinary work, the news release reports. Construction will also include additions to the existing T-shaped structure to expand its potential.

“The project will reinforce Wesleyan’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility; meet aspirational sustainability goals that prioritize conserving resources and limiting embodied carbon through building reuse; and include measures to ensure occupancy health and wellness,” according to the news release.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • KI Wall Demonstrates New Solutions at NeoCon 2025

    KI Wall attended NeoCon 2025 in Chicago, Ill., last month to showcase its new architectural wall systems and collaborations, according to a news release. Its customizable, design-forward wall solutions are intended to support creativity in work, education, and healthcare environments.

  • 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.

  • Designing Learning Spaces that Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

    In today’s education landscape, schools are more than just centers for learning; they are integral to the holistic development and well-being of students. The global pandemic underscored the importance of addressing mental health in schools, as productivity dropped, stress levels rose and students faced challenges managing emotions.

  • i-PRO, NovoTrax Partner for New School Emergency Response Solution

    i-PRO Americas, Inc., which manufactures edge computing cameras, recently announced a partnership with NovoTrax, provider of end-to-end life safety and mass notification solutions, to address gaps in emergency response workflows at K–12 schools, according to a news release.