Orpheum Resonance: A Mass Timber Theatre in Burlington, Vermont

Author

• Madalyn DiPrima

Files

Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Architecture

College

Arts and Sciences

Department

Architecture

Faculty Advisor

Stephen Wischer

Studio Coordinator

Stephen Wischer

Faculty Chair

Susan Kliman

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Rights

NDSU policy 190.6.2

URI

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Abstract

This thesis proposes Orpheum Resonance, a mass timber theatre in Burlington, Vermont, that explores the relationship between music, architecture, and storytelling. Grounded in the myth of Orpheus, Robert Fludd’s “music of the spheres,” and theories of atmosphere and layered narrative, the project asks how a theatre can do more than house performance—it can perform itself. Located along North Avenue near Lake Champlain, the design connects the city, waterfront, and community through a civic cultural space. The building uses light and dark, sound and silence, and isolation and community as conceptual layers that shape the visitor experience. Mass timber, carved wood, acoustic strategies, and a wave-inspired roof structure create a warm and resonant environment for performance. Through its indoor theatre, outdoor amphitheater, and connection to the landscape, the project becomes a cultural instrument for Burlington.

Recommended Citation

DiPrima, Madalyn, "Orpheum Resonance: A Mass Timber Theatre in Burlington, Vermont" (2026). Architecture Theses. 104.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/architecture-theses/104