317 Main

317 Main, a beloved community music center in Yarmouth, ME, first opened its doors in 2004 and grew to become an important performance and educational venue to local musicians of all ages. After years of growth, the nonprofit organization launched its first capital campaign in 2019, hiring architect Paul Lewandowski of Paul Designs Project to design a 10,000 sf addition to the original historic structure.

Acentech’s Studio A team collaborated closely with Paul Designs Project on Founders Hall (a 200-seat multipurpose performance space); music education, practice and recording studios; a dedicated room for early childhood music education; and a café/pub for small gatherings and performances. The acoustics in Founders Hall were designed with flexibility in mind, to allow for a broad music program, from classical music to percussion, jazz and pop. The design includes colorful wall panels that help control reverberating sound, and the flat floor allows for variable seating configurations. Our team also paid close attention to mechanical noise control and sound isolation, which required methods specific to the cross-laminated timber (CLT) building structure.

The new addition was designed and built with community and sustainability in mind. The construction materials were selected to promote a healthy environment, and include cross-laminated timber, a photovoltaic array on the roof, energy and water-efficient appliances, and furniture made from recycled materials. The rejuvenated music center re-opened in the summer of 2023, and promises to be a valuable year-round hub where residents can gather for performances, music education, dances, film screenings, and lectures.

“Everything was done with acoustics in mind, from the ceiling to the floor.”
– Paul Lewandowski, Founder, Paul Designs Project