The original building is a modest four-story structure serving as a backdrop for a dramatic landscaped, light-filled atrium. The client wanted a fresh and exciting character for the college, but the required functional spaces were quite different than that of the bank. New mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems absorbed most of the construction funds, leaving little for interior renovations. Fortunately, there was a desire to preserve the bones of the existing building by making minimal insertions into the concrete structure. The bank was designed to be simple and breathtaking—the new design pays homage to that philosophy. Because the atrium was inside the original building envelope, it had been considered too expensive to maintain due to the atrium’s energy loads. The building was slated to be demolished for a parking lot. The new design places the atrium outside the envelope, reducing the energy load dramatically, creating a street level urban park. The new window boxes house personal practice spaces and allow the color palette of each floor to be expressed upon entry. The new design places the atrium outside the envelope, reducing the energy load dramatically, and creating a street level urban park. Visible Music College is on the downtown trolley line and serves as a catalyst for a previously dormant part of the city.