Patterson Arts Center

Overview:

The Patterson Theater had been vacant for many years when the Creative Alliance had the vision to convert it into an arts center. Several contractors were interviewed and asked to submit fee proposals. A.R. Marani was selected and worked with the architects over a period of two years to develop a renovation plan that fit the budget and the vision of the Creative Alliance.

The interior of the theater was completely demolished back to the exterior perimeter walls and roof structure. Interior bearing masonry walls were installed to support a new steel joist system and concrete slab to create a second floor. A wood joist system was installed over the theater’s sloping floor to create a level first floor with two different elevations, giving additional ceiling height to the theater.

The First Floor now consists of offices, art gallery, a performing arts theater and storefront tenant space. The newly constructed second floor consists of a conference room, workshop areas and eight studio apartments for ‘artists in residence’ with the steel roof truss system exposed. Sections of the existing 15” thick exterior brick walls were carefully removed to install aluminum windows and doors for the apartments. Windows were cut into the first floor, allowing site lines to the gallery with a full height two-story window highlighting the grand stair to the second floor. A new elevator, HVAC, fire alarm, electrical and lighting systems were also installed.

The Patterson Arts Center now has eight ‘artists in residence’, hosts events almost weekly in its new theater while the gallery displays the works of many local artists.