Design and Dance: After 10 Years of Partnership with ODS, Creative Opportunities Still Abound
This spring, Clark Nexsen celebrated 10 years of partnership with the Gifted Dance Education Program at the Old Donation School (ODS) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The partnership, which began in 2014, explores, among other things, how designers and dancers can learn from each other’s profession while broadening their perspectives and experiences. Despite the decade-long partnership, this past year has shown that collaboration with ODS continues to offer students and designers new, exciting, and creative opportunities.
Traditionally, Clark Nexsen architects and interior designers work with students and faculty to develop and fabricate elements inspired by their curriculum theme of the year, which are then integrated into their dance choreography. However, in celebration of 10 years, a student-led competition was created, allowing students to be the concept developer. This allowed the students to interact with the design before final construction and explore how to showcase and celebrate the curriculum’s theme, “Commonality and Diversity.”
“We really enjoyed watching the students develop their ideas and seeing their design process. We look forward to continuing the student-led design competition in this year’s upcoming collaboration.”
Brittney Just, ODS Dance Meets Architecture program co-lead
Eighth graders, who participated individually and in groups, made their submittals, which were then judged by a panel. The winning design belonged to Casey Babington, who had two designs in her submission. The first design had a structural frame with a transparent, hollow interior. In comparison, the second design was comprised of different shapes and could be configured into the same profile as the first design. During the fabrication process, the two designs were fused together and highlighted commonality, diversity, and how individual pieces can come together to create a whole. The final freestanding element was constructed with a wood frame comprising six individual pieces as part of the interior. The individual, fabric-wrapped pieces symbolized diversity and commonality. The differences in shapes, colors, and patterns highlighted diversity, while commonality was showcased in the movement and mobility of the pieces.
While the competition was limited to eighth graders, all students in the dance program could dance with the fabricated elements as they prepared their choreography. In previous years, the elements were typically a surprise, with the students only knowing the elements tied back/were connected to their curriculum theme. But this year, the students were aware, to an extent, of what the final element looked like due to their knowledge of the winning design competition submission. Regardless of this knowledge, the students had to adapt their routines to incorporate the element. Their resilience to change is remarkable, and they accepted the challenge and disruption to their choreography with ease and collaboration. The designers at Clark Nexsen are reminded each year of the importance of adaptability, communication, and collaboration among peers from the dancers. For the spring performance, different groups were chosen to perform with the elements. While the designers can think the elements will be utilized in certain ways, they are always pleasantly surprised during the spring performances by the creative ways the dancers move with the elements.
While dance and design may seem like an intriguing starting point for collaboration, Clark Nexsen and ODS have shown that broadening perspectives and experiences can spark creativity, teamwork, and inspiration.
Brittney Just, CID, IIDA, LEED Green Associate, is a Certified Interior Designer at Clark Nexsen with over ten years of experience. Her innovative, functional, and creative design solutions have transformed K-12 facilities, commercial higher education buildings, and more. To speak with Brittney, please email at bjust@clarknexsen.com or call 757.961.7843.
