Inspired by the dance choreography of William Forsythe, the New Orleans Dance Academy creates a spectator experience of compression/expansion, push/pull to focus emphasis on performance spaces. For dancers, the building establishes a sense of repetition, as the backbone for practice, through the five tower studios. The public facade responds to both the historical context of the Warehouse District and the dynamic activity within.

Building systems consist of a steel post-and-beam structure, decentralized outdoor air mechanical system, green roofs with water collection, and solar thermal water heating. The alternating solid metal and mesh facade panels, resolve the need for blocking and filtering solar radiation, while allowing cross ventilation. Requirements for ADA accessibility and life safety are also addressed in the building design.