SVAC Arts & Education Building

Manchester, Vermont

In 2024, TruexCullins was invited to participate in a design competition to envision a new Arts & Education Building for the Southern Vermont Arts Center. The master planning and conceptual design effort responds directly to the client’s goals while celebrating the remarkable natural setting of the SVAC campus.

The proposed design reimagines the museum as a vibrant village of creativity, composed of gabled studio, galleries, and performance spaces that echo the scale and rhythm of the historic farmhouse. A flat-roofed connector links old and new, providing circulation and essential support spaces. The new building defines a formal edge to the sculpture courtyard, enhancing arrival and reinforcing site organization. Red sculptural canopies mark each entry, continuing the tradition of the iconic red door and establishing a cohesive campus identity.

Inside, flexible galleries, naturally lit studios, and a performance barn support a dynamic arts program. Durable, low-maintenance materials and climate-conscious detailing ensure long-term sustainability – designed for Vermont, and for the future.

PROJECT TYPE:
Design Competition

DESIGN SERVICES:
Master Planning and Conceptual Study

PROJECT AREA:
27,000 sq. ft.
(21,900 sq. ft. new construction, 5,100 sq. ft. renovation)

COMPLETION DATE:
Unbuilt