Patterhn Ives LLC of St. Louis will provide planning and design services for renovations to Potter Hall at Missouri Western State University. Missouri Western’s Board of Governors approved the selection of the firm at its board meeting Dec. 8.

“We had a number of qualified firms express interest in the project, but Patterhn Ives set itself apart with a long record of successfully completing fine art and higher education building projects,” said Dr. Cale Fessler, vice president for financial planning and administration.

A ‘preliminary vignette’ of the proposed Black Box Theater in Potter Hall by Patterhn Ives LLC.

Patterhn Ives will provide planning and design services for renovations to Potter Hall, home of Missouri Western’s School of Fine Arts. Proposed renovations include a separate performance space for a Black Box Theater, adding a screening room, a dedicated computer lab, costume shop and other renovations to the existing facility.

Fifteen architectural firms responded to Missouri Western’s request for qualifications, and four were invited to campus to make presentations to a selection committee.

The Missouri General Assembly appropriated funding for architectural services for the Potter project. That funding will be matched by the Missouri Western State University Foundation, which is raising money to fund Potter Hall renovations through its Centennial Capital Campaign.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.