Modernfold Brings Hands-On Education in Marymount Manhattan College’s Production Lab

New York City’s creativity is the heart and soul of Marymount Manhattan College, widely recognized for its strong arts and cultural academic programs. Here, student success comes first. Rather than sitting quietly in a crowded lecture hall, they’re experimenting, building, designing, and problem-solving in settings that mirror real professional experiences and allow for intimate class discussions.

Inside the institution’s Design and Production Lab, each day brings new creative challenges. Scholars might start the morning by constructing full-scale scenery for theater performances, then move into lighting and set design coursework that requires concentrated attention, followed by group collaboration on upcoming shows. The facility must constantly adjust to encourage learning.

Before this workshop existed, access to stagecraft equipment was limited to the main performance venue, which constrained practice time and caused scheduling conflicts. The school recognized the need for a dedicated stage development facility that would provide hands-on theater training without interfering with live shows.

The studio includes two distinct zones. One side functions as a fully outfitted production lab; everything is painted black, even the dry-erase boards. A key feature is the company switch, a high-capacity electrical panel used in theaters to provide temporary power for lighting, sound, and other production equipment, giving scholars hands-on experience with industry-standard tools. The other is a traditional instructional setting where peers and professors can engage in discussion.

Original plans called for bifold dividers to support flexibility between the two areas. However, the completion schedule did not align with project needs, leading the school to choose a temporary alternative to open the room sooner.

Once they were prepared to move forward with the design, Dewing Schmid Kearns Architects + Planners, in collaboration with ModernfoldStyles, took on the task of realizing the original vision.

The installation of an 11’-2” wide by 8’-4” high Modernfold Encore partition allows instructors to easily transition between lecture-based teaching and practical work.

This enhancement not only improves daily use for faculty, who can now configure the studio and classroom, but also provides a dynamic educational setting ensuring a well-rounded experience.

In discussions with students, they expressed how the Modernfold system has significantly improved flexibility of the classroom, making it easier to support various teaching methods and activities, from hands-on collaboration to focused small-group work.

The operable wall glides smoothly thanks to steel 4-wheel ball-bearing trolleys traveling along a #17 HD bracket-mount track system, contributing to its user-friendly operation.

An essential feature to this setting was acoustic privacy. To ensure strong noise control, the partition includes automatic top seals, Sureset manual 2″ drop seals, and an expandable closure panel that together achieve a 56 STC rating. This creates a controlled and distraction-free learning environment. Both the closure panel and bottom seals are operated with a removable crank handle, allowing the wall to lock securely in place.

Both sides of the wall were finished to align naturally with their surrounding spaces. The classroom-facing finish, Modernfold Maharam Tek-Wall Tint 004 Tin, offers a refined, understated aesthetic. In the lab, Maharam Tek-Wall Tint 017 Depth matches the dark theatrical theme, reinforcing the immersive, backstage atmosphere.

At Marymount Manhattan College, innovation is not just encouraged, it is the foundation. Future graduates learn by doing in intimate, industry-style environments built for real-world success. Recognizing a gap, the university developed the Design and Production Lab to ensure students can continue their education and work freely, without schedule conflicts holding them back.

Creativity drives progress, and ModernfoldStyles is proud to champion the vision of the talented artists and designers shaping tomorrow.

Contact us to explore our innovative solutions and discover how operable partitions help creatives transform their ideas into fully realized spaces. From concept to execution, we provide the tools and support that empower artists, architects, and innovators to bring their visions to life.