University of Wyoming Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts

The University of Wyoming expanded its 41-year-old fine arts building into a two-story performing arts center to enhance the educational experience of the students.

Sampson Construction began providing pre-construction services in the summer of 2012 as the project was originally designed without knowing the amount of available funding. When the project came in over budget, our team was involved with an exhaustive value engineering process to reduce scope by approximately 25% while still achieving an accredited facility. We were able to accomplish this by bringing a premier performing arts consultant on board to ensure all critical components of the program were accounted for correctly.

The new space includes a 256 Thrust Theatre and a 100 seat recital hall that was added to the east side of the existing building, linked by an east lobby featuring a new box office. The two-story Music Department has band/orchestra and choral rehearsal halls, as well as a second dance studio. Existing space was renovated to create light, sound and design labs; teaching and rehearsal space for musical theater; dressing and makeup rooms; and upgraded classrooms. A new 3,500 SF office suite was constructed to the northwest of the existing theatre/dance office suites. Additionally, the project yielded vital sound isolation and acoustic work for instrumental music, individual practice rooms and classrooms