DAPHNE, Ala.—Estimated $1.2 million construction on the 6,700-square-foot Nicholson Center will include a 3,100-square-foot second floor in the building’s existing gym space, an architect said Sunday at an open house unveiling of Bay Rivers Art Guild’s plans for its upcoming move. 

“The first level will consist of an administrative area, four studios, commons area and kiln room,” architect William Caswell said of the site on Captain O’Neal Drive. “The second level will have gallery space and two studios.”

The remodeling project is a five-year plan with phases to be completed as grant monies are received.

“The initial phase will be the first-floor plans plus the open area to be used for plays,” Lynn Rios, office manager, said.

Floor plans also include construction of a library that can seat 12 and will be used for meetings, BRAG president Marion McAleer said.

BRAG—currently headquartered behind City Hall on Sixth Street in a building members say it has outgrown—plans to take advantage of the center’s six studios by offering additional classes.

BRAG—currently headquartered behind City Hall on Sixth Street in a building members say it has outgrown—plans to take advantage of the center’s six studios by offering additional classes.

BRAG had a clear understanding, Caswell said, of its space requirements and how the building would need to function as a teaching studio and gallery exhibit space.

“The challenge became determining the most appropriate design to create the needed spaces within the volume of the gym, while maintaining the spatial quality the gym provided,” Caswell said.

Creating a two-story commons area with the balcony allowed developers to take advantage of the existing high  windows and exposed wood ceiling structure, he said.

“The use of this building for the BRAG facility brings new life to an old structure,” Caswell said.

See the rest of this story in the April 1 Daphne Bulletin.