LSU M&DA Wins AIA Gulf States Award

The Louisiana State University Music and Dramatic Arts building has been given an Honor Award by the Gulf States region of the American Institute of Architects.  According to the jury:  

The architect lovingly restored the existing building and made additions that did not detract or compete with the original structure. The proscenium theater, in particular, was restored to its original glory. The architect inserted new life safety systems unobtrusively, preserving the high spirits of this glorious Art Deco building.

HMS is honored by the building's selection.

From the HMS website:

Louisiana State University built the original Music & Dramatic Arts Facility in 1932. This large Italian Renaissance building is recognized in the State Register of Historic Places, but lacked the modern amenities necessary to properly support the college’s music and theater programs. In addition, the basic common areas were substandard in function and safety.
HMS managed the programming for the entire renovation. The performance spaces needed a significant overhaul, however the academic and support spaces were the largest challenge. The facility needed new classrooms, faculty offices, research rooms, libraries and storage. HMS Team had to first understand the department goals, changing curriculum and class scheduling.
The final design brought new clarity to the circulation and visual balance to a discordant series of prior additions and related buildings. Our solution restores and enhances the distinctive art deco elements of the original 400-seat proscenium theatre and main lobby
The new design overhauls an obsolete building infrastructure while working within the boundaries of a very restricted site and budget.

More about the award at the AIA website (see fourth slide)
More about the award-winning LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building at the HMS Architects website
More about HMS-designed music schools and other performance Projects

HMS Wins AIA Award for LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building

On March 16th, HMS Architects was awarded an AIA Merit Award for Historic Preservation/Restoration  by the New Orleans Chapter of the American Institute of Architect for our work at the Louisiana State University Music and Dramatic Arts Building. The jury specifically mentioned the care that was taken to restore the old Art Deco Theatre and Lobby.

In 2009 HMS Architects completed the Renovations and Additions to the Louisiana State University Music and Dramatic Arts Building. The project demolished several additions to the original 1928 building and infilled these areas creating a complete envelope which maintained the campus standard look to the exterior. The Art Deco proscenium theatre and lobby were restored, highlighting decorative elements including plaster scrolling, terrazzo floors, marble wainscoting and plaster proscenium. New classrooms, offices, shops and rehearsal spaces were created throughout the building, providing the School with all of their programmatic needs within a historic shell, complete with all of today's technology, comfort, accessibility and life safety needs.

More about the LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building at hmsarchitects.com

LSU Union Theater wins AIA Gulf States Award

The LSU Student Union and Theater has been awarded an AIA Gulf States Merit Award. HMS Architects in association with Grace and Hebert Architects of Baton Rouge were recognized for renovating and revitalizing this campus hub, bringing a refreshed look to this iconic building, while respecting the original design by John Desmond. The project was one of thirteen honored out of a total of over 140 submitted works.

More info on the LSU Student Union
More info on the new LSU Student Union Theater Building
More info on HMS designed Theaters, Auditoriums, and other Performance Venues

Building of America Awards Announces Two Projects by HMS Architects Chosen for Gold Medal Feature

For Immediate Release

Contact: JoAnn Dugas

504-636-3434

dugas@hms-pa.com

New Orleans, Louisiana ( October 13, 2010): 
From hundreds of nominated projects, Louisiana State University, Music & Dramatic Arts Building and Andrew H. Wilson Charter School, both submitted by HMS Architects,APC, has been selected as a Building of America Award projects and will be  featured as Gold Medal Winners on the home page at http://www.buildingofamerica.com/.

The Building of America Network showcases the most innovative, unique and challenging new projects — projects that are particularly noteworthy and/or give back to their respective communities. The website is an essential link, bringing owners together with consultants, financial resources, architectural firms, program and project managers and others from within the construction and design industry.
Decision makers can read about the newest facilities joining the landscape in their respective region. More importantly, the Building of America Network provides a tool to help all decision makers learn from one another’s experiences and learn more about the teams behind each project’s success. Each case study will also include listings, advertisements, corporate profiles and additional information about the project team members, subcontractors, vendors and suppliers that were referred as qualified and reliable by the company or firms that chose them for their most important projects.

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HMS Architects was founded in 1996 and is recognized for providing sound, creative and enduring design through a collaborative process. Using the very latest technology, talented and experienced staff, and a commitment to collaboration and teamwork, HMS offers accessible communication both within the firm as well as with clients, contractors and consultants.

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Since 1996, Construction Communications and the Building of America Network have featured the country’s top projects as determined by our editorial board. The case studies are read and referenced by leaders within the region’s local governments, economic development groups, financial institutions, owners, architects and contractors. The website, accessed by industry leaders and decision makers throughout the country, combines more than 50,000 links and millions of searches each year

LSU showcases HMS-designed M&DA building

Dean Lawrence Kaptain takes us on a tour of the new Music & Dramatic Arts Building at LSU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2y32wMGEv4


Slideshow of rededication of LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building 092009 from Laurence Kaptain on Vimeo.


http://vimeo.com/6816067

LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building Wins Again

The American Society of Interior Design has awarded Amy Savoie, of HMS Architects of New Orleans, the BRONZE award for Excellence in Design for the LSU Music and Dramatic Arts, at Louisiana State University.

More about Amy

More about the LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building
More about ASID

See interior design projects done by HMS

HMS Architects receive IIDA Award of Excellence

New Orleans, La. June 27, 2009 – HMS Architects was presented with a Award of Excellence by the Delta Regional Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) for their work in the interior design of the Shaver Theater at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Most Highly Regarded Award in the Design Industry IIDA’s Annual Interior Design Competition recognizes outstanding Interior Design and encourages new ideas and techniques in the design and furnishing of interior spaces.

“The winning projects range in size and scope but all exemplify IIDA’s mission to enhance the quality of life through innovation and excellence in interior design.” - Viveca Bissonnette, IIDA, CID, LEED AP, IIDA Vice President of Communications

Jill R. Williams, Designer representing HMS Architects received the award for the renovation design of the Shaver Theater on Saturday June 27 @ the Lowe's Hotel in New Orleans. The Shaver Theater is located in the Music and Dramatic Arts building on the campus of LSU in Baton Rouge, La. This large Italian Renaissance building is recognized in the State Register of Historic Places.

The Shaver Theater had a series of prior additions and renovations resultant in a discordant mishmash of space. HMS Architects restored the visual balance and enhanced the distinctive art deco element of the original 400 seat theater and main lobby. This jewel of a theater can be viewed at http://www.hmsarchitects.com/01-001.xml.

LSU Union Renovations to begin

Renovation of largest LSU theater To state-of-the-art facility to take 1 year

Construction of the LSU Union Theater designed by HMS Architects is set to begin. Scheduled to be completed in 2009 the renovation of this 1300 seat theater includes new a completely renovated interior including seating, new side box seating and an entirely new catwalk system. Also added are new inviting multi-story lobbies and circulation spaces, as well as pre-function spaces and new dressing rooms. Most importantly the acoustics of the room are being completely reworked to provide theater quality sound.

More about this project