Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center

Mind-Builders is a cultural institution in the Bronx that provides a range of programs and classes in the performing arts for children and adults of all ages. It was founded in 1978 by a former public school teacher with the goal of providing quality dance and music instruction to families in her neighborhood.

This project consists of a gut renovation of the 12,000 sf, 4 story building to provide dance studios, performance spaces, music rooms, classrooms, and offices. Most of the instruction spaces are designed as multi-functional to allow flexibility in the scheduling and types of classes offered. Classrooms on the first-floor house a daycare program during the day and are then converted to dance studios for evening and weekend classes. The main dance studio on the second floor can be used for large classes or subdivided with a movable wall into two smaller classes and can also be utilized for large public performances.

All new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, a new elevator, and egress stairs are included in the renovation. The design and documentation was done entirely with BIM technology. The project is registered with the United States Green Building Council and achieved a LEED silver rating.