Background

• Designed to provide state-of-the-art spaces for dance, theater, music, and visual arts.

• Princeton has a long history of fostering the arts, but its existing facilities were scattered and lacked the infrastructure needed to support a growing arts curriculum.

• The vision for the Lewis Arts Complex emerged from Princeton’s broader goal of making the arts a central part of university life for arts students and the entire campus community.

• A transformational gift from Peter B. Lewis, an alumnus and longtime university supporter, provided the significant funding necessary to bring this vision to life.

• The project consists of three primary buildings:

  1. Wallace Dance Building and Theater – Home to the dance, theater, and music theater programs, featuring studios, a black box theater, and classrooms.

  2. New Music Building – Includes practice rooms, rehearsal spaces, and an ample performance space for the music department.

  3. Arts Tower – Houses the Princeton Atelier and administrative offices.

• These buildings are connected by a below-ground forum, creating a dynamic, multi-use space that encourages interdisciplinary interaction.

• The design emphasizes natural light, open circulation, and integration with the surrounding landscape, reinforcing a sense of artistic collaboration.

• The project transformed the southern edge of the campus, linking it more directly to the town of Princeton, creating a more inviting and interactive space for the community.