American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Western Headquarters

Pasadena, CA

We developed two schemes for a new performing arts campus for 300 students in a 50,000 SF complex. The project required two theaters, classrooms, retail spaces, parking and the renovation of a 2-story, 13,000 SF historic structure on the adjacent property. This project received an AIA design award in 1994.

Scheme 1 is a 3-story structure designed in a contemporary Mediterranean style; it sits on a double lot with retail space on the street & parking behind. The second and third levels are the open-air campus with classrooms, theaters, etc. Scheme 2 is a 4-story complex, Mediterranean/Italian in character; the design requires half the size of Scheme 1. The roof of the building is the open-air campus with theaters and food facilities.