Sandi Simon Center for Dance

The Sandi Simon Center for Dance at Chapman University is an adaptive reuse of a historic 1918 orange packing house, originally built for the Santiago Orange Growers Association and later used by Villa Park Orchards.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building has been transformed by Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects [LOHA] into a vibrant, multi-level dance facility while preserving its historic exterior.

The design introduces a strategic cut through the original floor, reorganizing the structure into three interconnected levels that enhance circulation and light flow throughout the space. Natural light filters from the historic sawtooth roof and north-facing clerestory windows, illuminating studios and gathering areas.

The Center includes five dance studios, a performance studio, classrooms, faculty offices, and social spaces, supporting both academic and communal functions. LOHA's approach celebrates the building's industrial vernacular by preserving and reusing original materials—like the existing wood flooring—and exposing key structural elements such as heavy timber trusses.

Polycarbonate walls were introduced for their translucency and reflectivity, echoing the movement and ephemeral quality of dance. These layered surfaces create visual depth and respond to changing light throughout the day. Historic operable windows were upgraded with modern actuators to naturally ventilate the space in response to mechanical cues.

This sensitive yet bold transformation redefines the interior while honoring the exterior, creating an inspiring environment for students. The open atrium, mezzanine, and courtyard encourage interaction, rehearsal, and performance beyond traditional studio settings, weaving the building into the broader campus life.

The Sandi Simon Center for Dance exemplifies how adaptive reuse can preserve cultural heritage while meeting contemporary educational and artistic needs through thoughtful, innovative design.

Awards:
2025 – AIA National Award, Interiors
2024 – AIA Los Angeles Design Award, Merit Award
2024 – AIA Orange County, Honor Award & SpecialCommendation for Historic Preservation
2023 – AIA California Design Award, Merit Award