The Mississippi State University Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts was an adaptive reuse of three late 19th century buildings into a new facility with a conference center, a 21st century 1,000-seat performance facility and educational opportunities for local and statewide public schools.
The university's goal was a commitment to entertain, enrich, and further lifelong learning throughout Mississippi and the region. A major stakeholder was the Riley Foundation, a private philanthropic group who provided oversight and guidance.
The Riley Center gives Mississippi State University a new regional identity and seems to be the catalyst for a rebirth of the 'Queen City' as commercial and residential development emerges around the facility.
"The Riley Center is a gem for Mississippi State University and our campus," says Dean Harold J. Nichols.
The restoration effort followed national standards and the project has significance and importance to numerous national and local historic preservation organizations.
The 115-year old buildings presented additional construction challenges. Original foundations had failed, and the masonry exterior walls had deteriorated. Reinforcement and stabilization was needed without compromising historic fabric. A second floor steel and concrete stage house was built within and above the existing walls, assuring structural integrity and acoustical separations. The audience chamber was also reconstructed to improve sightlines and incorporate new mechanical systems.
The team worked with national life safety consultants, the university, and regulatory officials to construct confident, viable life safety and accessibility strategies including new sprinklers, lifts and ramps, lighting, railings and guards, elevators and stairwells, and security systems to make the center code compliant.
Similarly, the structures had no building systems in place, so they needed to add contemporary learning systems, equipment, devices and technology within an historic context.
The jury commented, "This is a good restoration project . . . really beautiful . . . it makes a significant commitment to the downtown . . ."
Project Team: Martinez & Johnson Architecture, PC with Mississippi State University, Meridian Campus, and Pryor & Morrow Architecture, architecture; Schuler Shook Theatre Planners, theatre design & lighting and Evergreen Painting Studios, Inc., decorative painting. |
