Architecture II at Wesleyan University is a research-design-build studio focused on a single, semester-long project. In the Spring of 2022, I was a part of the team that designed Store Stage; a pair of humble wood storage cabinets that together frame an outdoor, multifaceted community space. At the outset of the project, the studio was charged with designing a wood storage structure to protect lumber from the humid summers and harsh winters endemic to New England and allow its users to unload material safely and ergonomically. However, its capabilities extend beyond storage.

The Store Stage also serves as a performance venue, workspace, outdoor classroom, or simply a nice place to eat lunch for students and faculty in the Art Department. Aside from its programmatic needs, the structure prioritizes sustainability in its design and was developed for disassembly and reuse of its materials. The project is a study in the architectural possibilities of locally-sourced lumber, catering to the storage needs of Wesleyan University’s woodshop and embodying the intersection of work and play within the visual and performing arts.