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Sally Swanson Architects
Salinas High School Performing Arts Center

Salinas, CA

Salinas Union High School District selected SSA for the renovation of its existing auditorium into a state-of-the-art performing arts center seating 875 people. In addition to accommodating live performance, recitals, lectures, long-distance learning, and other multi-media functions, the Performing Arts Center would be available for use by the surrounding community. This necessitated a degree of flexibility in the final design that would allow for a variety of uses. The technical modernization required for the facilities and equipment was paralleled by an effort to aesthetically restore the 1930's Mission Revival interior. Recognizing the new facility as the centerpiece of student experience, SSA envisioned the new performing arts center as a "theatrical lab" in which students would perform but also learn the techniques of stage production by operating the rigging, soundboard, lights, and other equipment. At SSA's invitation, the students contributed directly to the project itself by producing a video that documents the planning and design process as well as some of the features devised for the new teaching and performance facility.

Scope of Services
Modernization, Accessibility Upgrade, Design/Construction Documents, Construction Administration

Budget
$2,600,000

Photo: drawing of the theater interior
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