The O’Neill Theater Center, renowned as the country’s leading organization for the development of new theatrical works and voices, offers a transformative environment for students, playwrights, directors, and actors. Situated on a stunning oceanfront campus in Waterford, Connecticut, this iconic institution was founded in 1964 and has since become a hub for innovative theater programs, conferences, and academic coursework.
To support its growing community of up to 100 students, artists, and professionals, the O’Neill sought a creative lodging solution that would enhance the overall experience of its campus while staying true to its artistic ethos. Partnering with Centerbrook Architects, LRC played a key role in the development of a charming lodging village—designed to evoke the charm of New England island resorts. This new village, composed of small cottages, provides both a comfortable and inspiring space for residents. Alongside the lodging, the project also included new and renovated rehearsal spaces, further elevating the campus’s capacity to host its diverse range of programs and events.
While the site spans 95 acres, the project was carefully constrained by existing historic structures, neighboring tidal wetlands, and the need for a cohesive design that nurtured the O’Neill’s collaborative spirit. The result is a thoughtfully planned village that fosters community, while respecting the natural beauty and historic integrity of the surrounding landscape.
LRC provided civil engineering and landscape architecture services from schematic design through to construction, working closely with the Centerbrook team to ensure the vision came to life. The construction of the lodging village was substantially completed in 2014, enhancing the O’Neill Theater Center’s role as a premiere destination for artistic development and performance.
