317 Main Community Music Center

Designed as an addition to the 1855 Italianate Capt. Blanchard House, this project expands 317 Main Community Music Center's ability to serve the region through music education, performance, and community engagement. The 10,000-square-foot addition provides a 200-seat multipurpose auditorium, teaching spaces, administrative offices, a café, and welcoming gathering areas.

Universal accessibility was a central project goal. A new elevator and carefully aligned floor levels create seamless connections between the historic structure and the addition, ensuring that all visitors can fully participate in the programs and events offered throughout the facility.

As one of the first projects approved under Yarmouth's new form-based zoning ordinance, the addition demonstrates how thoughtful design can support both preservation and community growth within an evolving urban context.

Community was the guiding principle throughout the design process. As a nonprofit organization serving more than 50 communities, 317 Main envisioned an inclusive environment where people of all ages and backgrounds could gather through a shared appreciation of music.

The completed project has expanded the organization's capacity and broadened its programming. In addition to music education and performances, the facility now accommodates contra dances, indoor farmers markets, recording opportunities, and other community events that strengthen social connections throughout the region.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the performance and teaching spaces support a range of uses while maintaining the acoustic quality and comfort essential to music education and performance.