PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY Mary Baker Russell Music Center
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
ZGF DESIGNED THE 44,636 SF MARY BAKER RUSSELL MUSIC CENTER TO FULFILL THE UNIVERSITY’S NEED FOR A CENTER DEDICATED SOLELY TO THE STUDY AND PERFORMANCE OF MUSIC.
The complex houses a concert hall, classrooms, practice studios, faculty teaching studios, rehearsal space, administrative offices, and support areas. Located on a hillside site, and built in two phases, the Center’s multi-story lobby with adjoining courtyard establishes the music building as the “grand stairs” central to the campus. It also provides a connection between the upper and lower campuses, uniting two functionally separate environments. The facility is composed of three components, configured in such a way to conform to the existing slope, thereby retaining most of the existing fir and oak trees on the site. The first component is a 82
teaching wing comprised of individual practice and faculty studios that forms a courtyard and amphitheater through which passersby may be exposed to musicians at work. The amphitheater utilizes the natural slope of the site to create a performance venue with 115 seats on structured terrace blocks in a grass setting. The second component is a large structure containing rehearsal studios for choirs, bands, and orchestras. The third is the 534-seat Lagerquist Concert Hall. The concert hall, critical parts of the teaching facility, the amphitheater, and an outdoor catwalk were constructed as Phase I. Phase II included two rehearsal halls, faculty studios, practice rooms, and support services.