Redefining innovative arts and science education at the Center for Creative Arts and Technology at Hackley School

The Center for Creative Arts and Technology at Hackley School serves as the new front door for the campus. The Center is nestled into the rolling Hackley landscape between Hackley Loop Road, and the Akin common. Anticipated for completion in 2024, this 50,000 square-foot landmark space will foster interdisciplinary collaboration, uniting four major disciplines into one building from computer science to the visual and performing arts. 

Arrival at three fronts 

An elegant composition of three elements: the Upper Crescent, the Loop Road Crescent, and the Hall are joined by a series of terraces to fit the building gracefully into the Hackley landscape. This sensitive relationship to the landscape provides the Center with three “front doors” addressing a variety of student, faculty, and visitor experiences. The new gateway experience starts at the main drop-off from the Loop road, connects to a ‘scala regia’ terrace which overlooks the double-height lobby gathering space, and culminates at the Upper Crescent Amphitheatre on the Akin Common. 

Fostering a well-rounded and inspiring learning environment 

This ambitious academic building houses the music, theater, the visual arts, and the computer science department. The interdisciplinary program and sensitive design elevate the importance of the creative process by bringing together the different disciplines into a single facility, creating new opportunities for innovation. The highlights of the program elements include a 550-seat multi-purpose auditorium, a 100-seat black box flexible studio theater, a tech hub of maker spaces, a diverse range of rehearsal spaces, visual arts studios, and a well-appointed art gallery. By merging arts and computer science, this multidisciplinary building will facilitate science communication through visual arts and interactive installations, engaging the public and bridging the gap between science and society.

Hackley, New York City, and beyond 

The sensitive relationship to the landscape provides the Center with an outdoor amphitheater which complements the visible and collaborative aspect for the building. The scale of the building sits quietly, reinforcing the Akin Common space, yet creating a set of new outdoor and interior spaces and providing an iconic new creative core for the Hackley Community. The architectural expression of the Center, using natural and contemporary materials, will engage in thoughtful juxtaposition with the material richness of the historic campus.  This ideal location in the greater New York City region creates an outlet for students to stay connected to the arts and creativity beyond graduation.