Visual and Performing Arts Center

The building design features a new 1,500 seat state-of-the-art auditorium with two balconies, a small secondary theater, visual arts display and support spaces, a multipurpose room, dance studio, ticketing, and concessions. The main audience chamber and performance stage is designed to support a wide variety of programs and performances. The performance stage will include an automated orchestra pit, full-fly loft, and is appropriately sized to accommodate the full CFISD orchestra, dance, and various art program presentations. The building will also host UIL events and various other competitions and includes practice rooms and other spaces needed for preparation by performers.

Site improvements to the venue include facility parking, drop-off areas, loading docks to serve the back-of-house, covered walkways, modified roadway island cuts, and all associated infrastructure and utilities. Additional amenities include multiple walkway canopies, a walking track around an existing lake amenity, multiple concrete parking lots, plaza areas, and landscaping.

Brandon Ross, representative with PBK Architects, who are designing both buildings, said the intention of building them both on the same parcel was to allow ease of access for the community.

“It’s an efficient use of a parcel for the district and it allowed us to maximize the use of that land to house both buildings,” Ross said during the Dec. 14 school board meeting. “All of the appropriate site parking, paving, delivery loading areas are on one site. …It allows for a smaller floor plate, a more efficient building, stacking things vertically in both buildings and supporting them so that visitors, occupants and employees can completely access both buildings.”