The architectural design and construction of the black box theater/performing arts center should create a versatile, functional, and inclusive space that serves as a dynamic hub for cultural and artistic expression in the Village of Farmingdale. This design will provide a state-of-the-art performing arts center that celebrates creativity, supports the arts, and enhances the cultural vibrancy of the community it serves through

Aesthetic Integration: Create an inviting, modern design that reflects the cultural and artistic aspirations of the community while harmonizing with the surrounding urban or suburban environment.

Community Engagement: Establish the facility as a cultural landmark that encourages community participation, education, and collaboration, fostering a sense of pride and belonging.

Flexibility and Functionality: Design a highly adaptable black box theater space that accommodates various performance configurations, including theater, music, dance, and multimedia productions, while ensuring optimal acoustics and sightlines for an audience of 130-180 seats.

Supportive Facilities and User-Centered Design:: 

• Incorporate a well-equipped green room, dressing rooms, and storage areas to support performers and technical crews efficiently.

• Provide a welcoming lobby with the capacity to serve light refreshments, enhancing the audience experience and fostering social engagement.

• Prioritize the comfort, safety, and convenience of both performers and patrons, ensuring intuitive navigation, appropriate lighting, and well-planned adjacencies between functional spaces.

• Ensure that all spaces, including the theater, lobby, sanitary facilities, and circulation paths, meet or exceed the requirements of the Building Code of New York State and ANSI A117.1 2017 for accessibility, promoting inclusivity for individuals of all abilities.

Sustainability and Efficiency: Integrate energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials where feasible to reduce the environmental impact and operational costs of the facility.

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Requirements:​

→ Coordination and Presentation:

       o Participate in project design and coordination meetings as required.

o Prepare presentation materials to convey design concepts to the client. Materials include drawings, a Preliminary Project Description (PPD), budget comparing the initial analysis to the design analysis and scale model that fits into the base model.

       o Present a complete design proposal for client review on the designated date during finals week. Record feedback from project stakeholders and include in PPD appendix in revised submission.

→ Design Concept and Strategy Narrative (5 page, max) Narrative should focus on strategy for proposed design, constructability, consideration of owner project goals, and summarize the projected budget for the project. Structural design calculations are not required.

→ Schematic Drawings of the proposed site plan and facility (15 sheet maximum) Present the site and building design – include schematic design elements noted in submittal requirements. Use ARCH D size sheets with ½-inch margin and 2-inch title block at bottom portion of sheet (along 36-inch edge).

      o Provide schematic drawings (plans, elevations, renderings) for all interior and exterior spaces. Drawings will include site plan, building plan, building elevations, building section and structural grid at a scale appropriate to the presentation format, and key wall section at a minimum scale of ½-inch = 1-foot.

      o Include details like the layout of premises, accurate sizes of columns, and building features.

      o Finishes plan showing locations of flooring materials including carpet, flooring and base treatments, and any other associated finishes for presentation.

      o Schematic furniture layout, ensuring appropriate scale and proportion of furnishings. Provide design for miscellaneous furniture as required to accommodate the space.

      o Ensure all designs comply with ADA requirements both on-site and within the building.

      o Create a revised budget aligned to the design response based upon the format for the initial program budget.

→ Preliminary Project Description (PPD) The PPD shall provide a technical overview of the project proposal, using the template developed in Phase I. The project vision and goals, space program information, site and zoning analysis, environmental analysis, overview of code requirements, use group and construction type, description of each of the design systems (SUBSURFACE, SHELL, INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION, BUILDING SERVICES, SITE IMPROVEMENTS), project management and project budget with reference list and appendices.

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Additional Requirements:

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• Develop Program Verification:

   − Verify room locations, functionality, size, and adjacencies.

   − Define the building code requirements specific to the proposed use group, occupancy, and accessibility requirements.

   − Identify and resolve potential "red flag" issues and inconsistencies.

   − Collect data on equipment and ancillary requirements.

• Requirements for Interior Space (Include but not limited to):

   − Box Office

   − Reception Area

   − Customer Service

   − Auditorium/Theater Proper (Flexible) for 130-180 people, flexible arrangement

   − Stage Area, flexible arrangement

   − Flex-Multi function with dressing room

   − Laundry/wardrobe

   − Green Room with Vending Area

   − Pantry

   − Common Areas/Circulation Areas

   − Toilet facilities

   − Storage Area

   − General Storage

   − Loading Dock

   − Fire escape/stairs

   − Admin Office

   − Passenger Elevator

   − Service Elevator

   − Utility areas and support facilities

• Create and Confirm Project Budget:

   − Prepare and confirm a detailed project budget.

   − Include costs for construction, fixtures, and signage.

• Site Evaluation:

   − Review adapted Downtown Master Plan and identify project impacts.

   − Assess parking opportunities and constraints.

   − Evaluate driveway egress and pick-up/drop-off areas.

   − Explore the option to adapt small outdoor rear areas as flexible deck space.

• Zoning Analysis:

   − Identify local zoning regulations.

   − Develop a list of issues for review with town officials and neighboring property owners.

• Requirements for Exterior Space (including but not limited to):

   − Landscape design, including fencing

   − Parking 

− Driveway egress pick-up/drop-off area for youth participants and merchandise/cookies

   − Option to adapt small outdoor rear area as flexible deck space.

   − Outdoor signage compliant with village requirements

• Code Compliance issues

   − Review village ordinances (master plan, architectural review) to confirm prevailing codes for design

   − Review county ordinances (fire marshal, 239F) to identify compliance issues

   − Review chapter 11 of the Building Code of NYS and ANSI 117.1 2017 to determine the specific requirements for accessibility

• Construction types appropriate for project design for project using definitions from NFPA 220 that will meet code requirements

   − Identify potential costs

• Drawing Templates

− Review the owner-provided drawings and surveys. Develop draft based drawings in an electronic format identified by the class for the site, building for review and comment by the other teams. Drawings will include site plan, building plan, building elevations, building section and structural grid at a scale appropriate to the presentation format, and key wall section at a minimum scale of ½-inch = 1-foot.

   − Research suitable formats for presentation drawings and develop a base format for use by individual students.

   − Research suitable formats for schematic design drawings and develop a base format for use by individual students.

• Base Model

   − Propose a model scope to the class that will present neighborhood context and permit each student to insert a model of their Phase II design response. Using comments, develop a final scope for the model and build it for use in Phase II.