- LSMSA's building project began in the fall of 2007 with the removal of the old NSU maintenance building. The site was cleared in a matter of days to make room for LSMSA's new Center for Performance and Technology. The construction is estimated to take approximately 16 months.
Work has begun on a $12 million renovation and expansion project on the campus of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. E. Eean McNaughton Architects from New Orleans designed the project, and the contractor is Pat Williams Construction from Leesville. Funding is through the state’s Capital Outlay program and completion is expected in early 2009.
The Old Trade School, built in 1938 as part of Natchitoches High School, will undergo a complete exterior restoration and interior redesign creating space for instruction in the visual arts and music. The first floor will include a large drawing and painting studio, graphic arts lab, darkroom, printmaking studio, and ceramics and sculpture studio with both an electric kiln and outdoor firing area. The main corridor will also provide critique space. The second floor provides four teaching studios, a classroom, choral/instrumental rehearsal room, keyboard lab, practice rooms, and instrument storage.
In addition to the renovation of the Old Trade School, the project will bring a new building to the campus, the Center for Technology and Performance. A warehouse currently located behind the Old Trade School will be demolished and a 41,000 square foot, two story multi-use building will be constructed. The first floor will include an art gallery, recital/lecture hall, blackbox theatre, and kitchen/cafeteria. The second floor will provide space for student services, computer labs, and a home for the Louisiana Virtual School. The Louisiana Virtual School is a partnership with the Department of Education providing web-based instruction to more than 4,000 students in high schools across Louisiana with courses that would not otherwise be available to them. Green space will be added to the campus by removing a parking lot between the Art and Music Building and the High School Building.
Take a look with the real-time webcam focused on the new Center for Performance and Technology.
