Dance & Jazz Studio

Elmhurst, Illinois

The founder envisioned a contemporary dance studio that would bring a modern approach to dance education for children and adults in her local community. The 1,000-square-foot space, located within a modest suburban retail building, presented an opportunity to create a welcoming and distinctive environment on a limited budget.

The design prioritizes the elements most essential to the studio's function, with the largest investment dedicated to a professional-quality Marley dance floor.

A defining architectural element is the blue frame that organizes the space and separates the dance studio from the waiting area, where parents drop off and pick up their children. The frame creates a stage-like setting for the dancers while incorporating much-needed storage. This simple architectural intervention serves both a functional and visual purpose, giving the compact studio a distinct identity while making efficient use of the available space.

Project Credits
Photography: Peter McCullough