Sol Studio
of Dance

Featured Projects

Dance Studio & Community Design for Milwaukee | Modeled in Revit & Rhino| Drawings made in Illustrator

Solar analysis became a driving force in the design process, informing the building's orientation and massing. By responding to the sun's path, the project uses natural light to enhance the studio experience while strategically providing shade to improve comfort and reduce heat gain.

Project Overview

Conceptual Development & Technical Exploration

(A)

A. Site & Program

This project explores how architecture can support both artistic practice and community engagement through the design of a contemporary dance studio. The required program included spaces such as dance studios, a café, administrative offices, performance areas, and other support functions. The building is organized to create a clear transition between public and private spaces. The ground floor is dedicated to public uses, including the café and a central courtyard that serves as an outdoor performance venue, while the second floor houses the dance studios and other private program spaces, providing a quieter environment for rehearsals and instruction. This organization encourages interaction between the community and the performing arts while maintaining the privacy needed for daily studio activities.

B. Design Concept

(B)

The design is inspired by the movement of dance and the changing qualities of natural light. Rather than expressing movement through form alone, the building uses materiality and light to create a dynamic experience. Angled corrugated metal panels wrap the exterior, allowing daylight to filter into the interior while casting shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day. These changing conditions reflect the rhythm and fluidity of dance, giving the building a sense of motion even when it is still.

The black corrugated metal also reinforces the programmatic organization of the building, emphasizing the transition from the active public spaces on the first floor to the more private studios above. At the center of the project, an open courtyard acts as both a public gathering space and an outdoor performance venue, encouraging interaction between dancers and the community. A café extends into both the front plaza and the courtyard, activating these spaces and creating opportunities for people to gather before and after performances.

C. Process & Tools

The project began with studies focused on organizing the relationship between public and private spaces while establishing the courtyard as the heart of the building. From there, the design evolved through a series of iterations that explored massing, daylight, and façade orientation. The angled metal panels were developed to balance solar access with the desired lighting effects, allowing natural light to become an active part of the architectural experience. Throughout the process, each design decision was guided by the goal of creating a building that expresses the energy of dance while serving as a welcoming space for both performers and the public.

(C)