The client approached our team in 2017 to assist in finding the ideal site to build a new facility that could accommodate their growing company, conservatory, and supporting programming. Collage Dance, now the largest black-led ballet institution in the South, had grown from a dance class in a church basement with one student into an internationally-touring professional company and conservatory quickly outgrowing their existing 2,200 sf space in the Broad Avenue Arts District.

Committed to remaining a part of the historically African-American neighborhood, and following two years of vetting potential sites concurrent with a capital fundraising campaign, a site was selected at the intersection of two key priorities - providing high visibility and identity while being a cultural anchor for Binghampton. While visibility and programming drove site selection and design, we also sought to evoke a sense of movement and creativity to the neighborhood. The site is over an acre of land on the prominent corner of Tillman - a neighborhood street with mixed-use development, and Sam Cooper Avenue - a major traffic artery offering high visibility. Collage’s program was growth-minded, including: 4 rehearsal studios; performance studio; expanded administration spaces; lounges for Company dancers, Conservatory dancers and parents; retail space; dressing rooms; costume shop; and generous lobby and pre-function spaces including 2 courtyards and an outdoor plaza. Our goals were to maximize impact and support future growth through space programming.

Inside, three key public spaces (lobby, Conservatory lounge, and administrative reception) anchor the building’s program and enfilade circulation strategy. Each of these spaces is appointed in warm white oak paneling and trim that is layered, with contrasting textures bringing out shadows and depth, adding a range of tones to the space. Connecting spaces and dance studios are designed as foils to this: tall and bright, focusing on exterior views, natural light, and emphasizing dancers’ movement through contrast. Studio spaces are conceptually related but unique in expression, setting each studio’s purpose and mood with tailored shades of sky-inspired blues in the volume above the dance space, distinct expressions in lighting, and varied tones of brown Marley dance floors.

With a limited budget and a program ten times larger than their previous facility, the owner relied on our team to create a simply structured, long-lasting, adaptable facility through cost-neutral, passive design choices while meeting the costly technical requirements of performance studios. The site and new facility support their programming and goals for the next fifteen years and allow growth into the future beyond. Collage Dance now trains more than 1,000 students each year and the professional company has expanded as well with 18 professional company artists joining the 2024-2025 Season.