Catherine Dower Center for the Performing & Fine Arts

Location: Westfield State University, Westfield, MA

An exciting transformation of an existing elementary school into a university level facility to house relocated facilities for the Music, Art and Theatre Departments at Westfield State University. Detailed spatial and FFE programming and planning involving multiple design workshops with University administration and department faculty was required to gain buy-in from groups with differing interests. Dietz & Company Architects will be working with theatrical consultants, acoustic consultants and music practice room vendors to further develop academic and performance spaces for the Music and Theatre departments. Dietz also worked with the Art Department to plan classroom spaces and studios for Ceramics, Sculpture and Printmaking with detailed emphasis on MEP system design for odor control, lighting and specialized equipment including kilns and paint/glaze spray booths.