Raising the Barre

Cincinnati Ballet, Margaret & Michael Valentine Center for Dance

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Cincinnati, OH | 62,000 SF

Cincinnati Ballet exists to move people—profoundly and joyfully. A new dance center helps them soar.

Drawn by the artistry, athleticism, and precision of ballet, students flock to the Cincinnati Ballet Academy. While their annual production of The Nutcracker has increased their renown, their new home matches their vision for the future of dance.  Programs like Ballet Moves have deepened the organization’s impact on the community by providing inclusive opportunities for students with Down’s Syndrome or adults with Parkinson’s Disease to experience the joy of dance. Add to that the fact that the Ballet’s corps is a global company of professionals, and it’s clear that Cincinnati Ballet is all about breaking down barriers to dance. “This art form is changing, it’s evolving…we’re going to help fuel the changes in this art form for the next 10 years,” says Victoria Morgan, the Sue & Bill Friedlander Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Ballet.

From the moment people walk in the front entry, students, parents, dancers, and visitors can see, hear, and connect with their dance community.
Warmups, homework, socializing, storage...design for multiple activities supports dance academy students throughout the day.

GBBN worked with Cincinnati Ballet to design the new Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance, an inspiring combination of academy, community, and professional studio space for dancers who give everything to their craft.

A ceiling portal in the entry provides a glimpse of activity in a second floor studio.
Artboard 1

"GBBN – the architects – really created a facility that matches the vision of the ballet; the energy and elation of what the building represents. And the light ..."

Artboard 1 copy
- Margaret Valentine
Building Section The slope of the site allows the loading dock to service the rehearsal studios on the upper level.

The center breathes new life into an arts district that includes longstanding civic arts institutions such as the Cincinnati Art Museum and its new “Art Climb,” as well as Playhouse in the Park. Visible from every direction–the expressway, city streets, and pedestrians routes–its prominent site helps convey the value Cincinnati places in arts organizations.

At the barre and bathed in early morning light, dancers warm up for class.
Clearstory Ballet studio Clerestory windows bring daylight into the studio and corridor.
The environmental graphic design strategy for donor recognition allowed for both bold and subtle expressions that complement the architecture.

The building’s design is influenced by Cincinnati Ballet’s mission to break down the stereotype that ballet is only for a certain group of people; it embraces their vision that dance is for everyone. Read more about Cincinnati Ballet’s Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

  • Ballet Exterior Close to the street, the building was designed to engage pedestrian.
  • The strength and grace of ballet are expressed in the building's architecture.
  • A terrace offers views of the large dance studio as well as to the surrounding area.
  • Views toward the city help maintain a strong sense of place. Donor recognition is creatively incorporated into the double doors at left.
  • Bold donor recognition evokes the clean lines of the architectural design.
  • The design takes advantage of a tight, urban site.

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Architizer A+, Finalist

Plan Awards Finalist

AIA Ohio, Merit Award

AIA Cincinnati, Architecture Honor Award

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