Page 40 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2019

WHAT’S NEW?
buzz | tidbits

SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY UNVEILS NEW THEATRE

BUILDING AND JEFFERSON PUBLIC RADIO EXPANSION

A new, two-story theatre building has been unveiled at Southern spaces, which serve students, faculty, and the public.”
Oregon University. The completion of the 11.2 million-dollar pro-
ject, designed by TVA Architects, supports the University’s thriving SOU’s Theatre Department welcomes a new movement studio, a set
theatre program and provides a larger on-campus Broadcast Center design/computer lab, an expansion of the costume design studio and
for renowned Jefferson Public Radio. TVA Principal Design Architect two rehearsal studios, one of which functions as a smaller, black box.
Robert Thompson, FAIA describes the importance of the building: JPR’s new two-story addition features a 600 sq. ft. performance space
“From a design perspective, these types of buildings operate as living that can open onto the exterior plaza, eight new offices, four on-air
rooms or social centers for university campuses. They are touchpoints talk studios, three AV production rooms, support-and-conference
where all students have the ability to come together, so they ought to spaces and an open newsroom. A 1,300 sq. ft. atrium connects the new
be special in terms of their architecture, their engagement with the and existing building. JPR is able to expand the programming of their
landscape and the buildings that surround them. The original build- live performances, with nationally recognized and larger acts includ-
ing was internally focused and clad in dark brick. Our immediate goal ing orchestral performances. They are able to facilitate greater student
was to brighten this building by changing to a light brick and using involvement in the newsroom.
gunmetal accents in the canopies and sunscreens, which function as
jewelry pieces in the final composition. Inspired by music and perfor- Use of the gallery as an organizing design feature for the building cre-
mance, the building design is lyrical, sinuous and evocative of sheet ates an opportunity for all campus visitors to engage with the building
music in its expression.” through the course of their daily travel, introducing passersby to the
nationally recognized SOU theatre arts program. The new spaces face
Rehearsal and movement spaces, the theatre lobby and the main JPR an outdoor plaza.
performance space cluster around a new entry plaza. Recognizing
the growth of both JPR and the SOU theatre program, the addition “The building is celebratory—light, transparent, with lots of depth to
provides much needed production and office space for JPR and new the façade, and the programs inside read from the outside. The build-
rehearsal and classroom space for SOU. ing is lyrical in its composition. The east side of the building bears an
exterior form that is very much like a bar of music, the north side is
By tying the existing music building with the expanded theatre build- sinuous and undulating. The building speaks fluidly with movement,
ing through a public plaza, a hub for performing arts has been estab- motion, and rhythm,” says Thompson.
lished. David Humphrey, Director of the Oregon Center for the Arts
at SOU, says, “The building has special design touches that enhance the www.sou.edu

38 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | winter 2019