Auerbach Pollock Friedlander Completes Work at Princeton University Lewis Arts Complex

	Lee Instrumental Rehearsal and Performance Room in the Lewis Arts Complex at Princeton University. Photo: Elliott Kaufman

The new Lewis Arts Complex at Princeton University elevates the arts on the campus as never before. Comprised of a three-building complex in a park-like setting, the Lewis Arts Complex serves art, drama, dance, and music students with increased programming and additional spaces for these ever-expanding departments. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, performing arts/media facilities planning and sesign, provided theatre and audio-video consulting services for the Wallace Dance Building and Theater, working in close collaboration with Steven Holl Architects, the facility's designer.

Auerbach Pollock Friedlander was involved with the project for more than a decade, starting in the early planning and programming phases. The three buildings -- a theatre and dance building, an arts building and a music building -- create a new campus gateway and are connected underground with the 8,000-sq.-ft. Forum, a public gathering and information performance space. Above are plazas and an inviting green space which are accessible from all sides. Besides the physical changes to the campus landscape, another goal was realized through the completion of this project: the integration of the fine arts studies with liberal arts and sciences. The new Lewis Center was made possible by generous donations, most significantly from Peter B. Lewis, an alumnus from the class of 1955 who donated $101 million dollars in 2006.

Auerbach Pollock Friedlander's scope of work included performance facility planning and programming, and the design of theatrical systems for three primary performance venues, two secondary performance spaces, rehearsal studios for theatre and dance program classes, and workshops in the Wallace Dance Building and Theater. The firm's project scope also encompassed multiple music studios for individual practice and small ensembles, as well as conference and seminar rooms.

The opening of the new Lewis Arts Complex was celebrated with a multi-day Festival of the Arts on the Princeton campus, featuring concerts, plays, readings, dance performances, art exhibitions, multidisciplinary presentations and community workshops.