When Archmere Academy set out to re-imagine its beloved Performing Arts Center, the goal was clear: create a modern, welcoming space worthy of the talent it showcases, all without disrupting the day-to-day life of an active school community.

EDiS delivered a multi-phase, occupied renovation that touched nearly every corner of the facility: upgraded auditorium acoustics, a redesigned control room, ADA improvements, a re-imagined lobby, and new infrastructure to support a stunning hand-blown glass chandelier by an Archmere alumnus.

As construction progressed, vision and reality occasionally diverged, and that’s where our team leaned in. We paused work to walk the client through the framed lobby, advocated for their intent, and helped rework the layout on the fly. Bathrooms were relocated. Structural supports added. Partial installs demolished and rebuilt. Still, we delivered on time, in full, for the March 30th rededication ceremony.

Even when unexpected structural issues surfaced late in the project, we controlled costs by rebidding the work, cutting the original proposal nearly in half.

Today, the revitalized center stands as a celebration of arts, heritage, and community. A space that honors the past, embraces the future, and welcomes every generation of Archmere talent.

1 of 8 Abessinio Performing Arts Center