The first schematic design, created by a former architecture student of Artefact founder Christine Ussler, helped the client secure the necessary funding for construction, and the design evolved as the project progressed. Initially, precast concrete was selected for the 360-seat auditorium due to the material’s excellent acoustic qualities, with other materials allocated for the remainder of the building. Response to the auditorium design was so favorable, however, that the client ultimately chose precast concrete for the entire building.

The new Charter Arts building has a clean and spare appearance, lending the space the feel of a “blank canvas” that students are invited to fill with their art. Special features include terrazzo floors on the main floor, glass floor inserts to bring daylight to the lower level, exposed concrete ceilings in studio spaces, and LED lighting throughout. Recycled materials, energy efficiency considerations, and sustainable practices informed the design and specifications for the building, which was built to LEED Gold standards.