IRCC McAplin Fine Arts Theatre Location: Ft. Pierce, Florida Project Type: Renovation Services Provided: Architecture, Planning, Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Landscaping, Acoustical Design, Cost Control. Budget: $980,000 Project Duration: 8 Months Compeletion Date: March 2003     ....................................................................................................... Project Description: The McAplin Fine Arts Theatre was originally built in 1978 on the IRCC Campus in Ft. Pierce. Both the Theatre's exterior appearance and the lobbies public facilities we in need of upgrading. lack of natural daylight into the lobby area was particularly of concer. Similarly the public facilities struggled to service the 600 seat auditorium capacity. The program was to demolish the existing theatre entrance and toilet facilities and create replacements to meet current ADA accessibility standards and the desire for natural daylight. The existing theatre entrance was 4'-0" above the lobby level so accessiblility ramping would have been excessive. Solving the problem involved raising the lobby floor 2'-0" thus reducing the level difference by half. A system of interior ramps and interior curvilinear ramps solved the accessiblility issue. A new box office and concession area were incorporated into the west facade together with a full height curvilinear fully glaze storefront enclosure. The Mep installations were upgraded to meet current code requirements. Hardscape included stepped walls, brick pavers, ramps and steps, and tropical landscape foliage to provide a pedestrian user-friendly space. The exterior terrace doubles as outdoor display / performaing areas. In order to maintain the unity and continuity, all materials were selected to compliment the existing campus.