Architects: Flansburgh Architects
Area: 975 m²
Year: 2013
Photography: Matthew Millman
Lead Architect: David Croteau, Kelley Banks
Collaborators: Riecke Sunnland Kono Architects
Structural Engineer: Walter Vorfeld & Associates
General Contractor: Arita Poulson General Contracting
Landscape Architect: Mayberry & Associates
Electrical Engineer: Morikawa & Associates
Civil Engineer: Otomo Engineering
Associate Architect: Riecke Sunnland Kono Architects
Mechanical Engineer: Neal S. Nishida
Owner: Seabury Hall
City: Makawao
Country: United States
The Seabury Hall Creative Arts Center, designed by Flansburgh Architects, is a 975 m² (10,500 square feet) performance space at Seabury Hall in Makawao, Maui, completed in 2013. The facility features a flexible 400-seat theater, a dance studio, and outdoor workspaces. Its barn-like design respects the surrounding architecture and incorporates natural ventilation and pre-engineered structures to meet budget constraints.
This new center replaces an older assembly space that was inadequate due to its small size, poor lighting, lack of flexibility, safety concerns, and insufficient ventilation. The updated facility addresses these issues, providing a modern and versatile space that better serves the needs of the college preparatory school and its community.
The building is situated on a narrow promontory at the edge of the campus, offering views of Haleakala to the east and the ocean to the west. The location required careful consideration of the design to respect the surrounding neighborhood.
The primary focus of the project was to enhance the school’s theatrical capabilities while maintaining cost efficiency. To achieve this, natural ventilation and a pre-engineered structure were utilized without compromising the theater’s functional needs.
The center includes a versatile 400-seat theater that supports various seating configurations and ensures safe student access to multiple lighting positions. The lobby, featuring a cafe and ample space for student exhibits, connects directly to a scene shop with outdoor access. The large stage is designed with ample storage and direct outdoor access. Additionally, the facility includes an outdoor workspace for scenery work, rehearsals, and performance use, a dressing room suite with restroom facilities, and a dance studio equipped with a spring floor.
The design adopts a barn-like aesthetic that harmonizes with the neighboring upcountry architecture. The industrial materials encourage students to explore new ways of engaging audiences. Exterior glass walls, shielded by fiberglass grating, manage daylight and evoke the appearance of candlelight filtering through barn boards at night. The combination of red seats, walls, and stairs with the charcoal-colored steel structure and fiberglass grating reflect the volcanic history of Haleakala. The open floor plan, large barn doors, and strategic siting create a strong connection between the interior spaces and the surrounding natural environment.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Hanamu Road, Makawao, HI 96768, United States
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
