Envisioned as bright, simple objects in the sun aligned with the understated Gulf Coast landscape, the shimmering white Arts & Media Center presents a striking contrast to the brilliant Texas sky, Corpus Christi’s vibrant culture, and the dynamic theater and music programs it houses.  

Deeply connected to its place, the building takes inspiration from the nearby shoreline with a neutral palette, reflective sheens, and subtle textures at the exterior, while the adjacent lawn provides a gathering space for the community. The lobby and public circulation spaces, bathed in soft daylight, offer calm tones and pearlescent nuances as a welcome transition from the extreme outdoor environment before one enters the immersive performance spaces. Daylight throughout is carefully shaped and manipulated as the sun traverses across the sky, creating a sense of visual movement and providing moments of delight as users navigate the building. 

In dramatic contrast, the Center’s performance spaces are saturated in deep, immersive blues resonant of an underwater experience. The 200-seat recital hall offers peeks of light from above, allowing the space to mimic the movement of water when close to the surface; the darker 320-seat performing arts theater envelops users in an experience of deeper water punctuated by shimmering rays of light; and the more intimate black box theater signals the ocean’s depths, allowing patrons to focus intently on the surrounding performance. Each room is highly specialized and attuned to the teaching and learning experience, enabling students’ boundless creativity to explore and share their artistic expressions.