Washington Alexandria Architecture Center students merge creative concepts of dance and space to design dance studio in Arlington

Amare presents his designs

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, June 12, 2009 – Elements of dance and dance-theatre -- including movement and exercise, flowing costumes, and expressive lighting --inspired students in the Architecture Master's design studio at the Washington Alexandria Architecture Center to imagine innovative ways of merging public and private space for a dance studio in nearby Arlington.

Last year Terry Holzheimer, director, Arlington Economic Development (AED), and Jim Bohland, vice president and executive director, Virginia Tech National Capital Region Operations, initially discussed the idea of students designing the dance studio. “In Arlington, as in many cities and counties across the United States, performing arts facilities often pose both design and financial difficulties,” said Holzheimer. “Our arts organizations – and especially the performing arts – are always looking for suitable places to rehearse and perform.

“By working with Virginia Tech we hoped to elicit some big ideas for available sites that could help solve some of the dilemmas we face in Arlington,” he said.

Washington Alexandria Architecture Center Director Jaan Holt readily embraced the idea of the students working with Arlington. “Designing for real spaces is very important for our students and we are grateful to Arlington for providing us with such a significant opportunity,” he said.

AED provided students with two sites. One, in Ballston, was assigned to students in the fall. Spring semester students worked on the other site in Clarendon. Both sites are currently undeveloped or underdeveloped; both are real-world locations that could accommodate the dance studio.

Henry Hollander, coordinator for Outreach and Alumni Relations for the Washington Alexandria Architecture Center, and George Parr, commercial development specialist, AED, coordinated the effort to implement the design studio for the project at the center. Beth Barrett, graduate teaching assistant in the master of architecture program, organized the student designs.

Eight students presented their designs and accompanying models to Holzheimer, Parr, and other members of AED following a recent reception at the center. They are as follows:

Fall 2008 Studio: Ballston Site

• Danny Cao, of San Luis Obispo, Calif., a fourth year architecture major consortium student from California Polytechnic State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, presented Urban Village;
• Eric Hawkins, of Maryville, Tenn., a M.Arch. 1 master of architecture student in Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Washington Alexandria Architecture Center, presented The Garden and The Street;
• Noel-Jerome Harris, of the Virgin Islands, a first year master of architecture student in Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Washington Alexandria Architecture Center, presented The Synergy of Body and Building; and
• Lauren Mitchell, of Jacksonville, Fla., a first year master of architecture student in Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Washington Alexandria Architecture Center, presented The Inbetween.

The fall studio faculty were Marcia Feuerstein of Virginia Tech and Carolin Kodisch of Bauhaus, Weimar, Germany.

Spring 2009 Studio: Clarendon Site

• Fekade S. Amare, of Alexandria, Va., a first year master of architecture student in Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Washington Alexandria Architecture Center, presented Imprints;
• Susan Movassagh, of Sterling, Va., a master of architecture student in Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Washington Alexandria Architecture Center, presented Dancing with Architecture;
• Jessica Turrin, of Indianapolis, Ind., a first year master of architecuture student in Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Washington Alexandria Architecture Center, presented Community and Dance Center; and
• Mary Grace Verges, of Baton Rouge, La., a fourth year architecture consortium student from Louisiana State University’s College of Art + Design, School of Architecture, presented A Dance on the Site.

The spring studio faculty were Jaan Holt, Carolina Dayer, and Robert Gurney of Virginia Tech.

Following the eight presentations, Holzheimer said, “We asked Virginia Tech students to come up with some big ideas – and they delivered. We are extremely pleased with the creativity, research, and thought that each student put into his or her design solution. It’s exciting to see such creative possibilities for Arlington.”

View designs from the eight students who presented their work at the reception, as well as designs from other students in the fall and spring studios.

• Barbara L Micale
• Assistant Director for Communications, NCR
• 571-858-3008
• blmicale@vt.edu