ecap downtown space

Honoring the Past, Designing the Future

Built in 1913, the Columbia Theater has long been a centerpiece of Muncie. Today, its revitalization honors its history while creating new opportunities for design, innovation, and collaboration.

Ball State’s Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (ECAP) has expanded into downtown Muncie with a new studio and community space in the historic Columbia Theater Building at 306 S. Walnut Street.

The nearly 5,000-square-foot hub connects students, faculty, and the community through hands-on learning, design exploration, and collaborative projects.

The grand opening for this exciting new space is on October 2, 2025 during First Thursday ArtsWalk from 5-8 p.m.

ECAP's Partnership with Muncie

By embedding immersive learning in the city’s core, ECAP strengthens Ball State’s connection to Muncie. This new hub supports the city’s ongoing growth and highlights the University’s role as a partner in shaping vibrant, resilient communities.

A Space for Learning and Collaboration

More than a relocated classroom, this downtown studio serves as a gathering place for:

  • ECAP courses in design, planning, and community engagement
  • Public exhibitions and showcases featuring work from the College of Fine Arts and ECAP
  • Community programs on city planning, design, and preservation
  • The Urban Planning Discovery Center, a walk-in resource with a searchable database of local and regional planning and design projects
  • The Center for Historic Preservation, offering expertise and resources on historic buildings and landscapes

Students in the City

Starting this Fall, students in landscape architecture and urban planning will use the downtown space for studio courses. Future semesters will bring additional groups from Architecture and Interior Design.

This location reflects ECAP’s core value: giving students immersive, real-world experiences in the environments they study and design.

“This is more than just a space—it’s a statement about who we are and how we work. We’ve long believed that Ball State should have a presence in downtown Muncie. This location gives us a platform for innovation, collaboration, and design that serves both our students and our city.” - David Ferguson, ECAP Dean

 

Downtown muncie and columbia building To learn more about this exciting new project, its grand opening, and upcoming plans, read this press release.