Finishes for the Eisenhower Theater were selected to modernize its look and feel and add elegance to what had been a dull space. |
The Eisenhower Theater in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., opened in 1971. By the turn of the century, after three-plus decades of heavy use, the 1,142-seat box-within-a-box playhouse on the Potomac was starting to show its age. Poor lighting and tired, worn finishes created a gloomy atmosphere. The onstage HVAC system couldn't even be used during performances, and there were tons of asbestos in the ceiling.
Two years ago, the local office of Quinn Evans | Architects was brought in to work with the Kennedy Center staff and theater users on a renovation. Because the theater hosts a variety of productions—plays, musicals, and contemporary dance—its many stakeholders—from programming and special events to the handicapped accessibility department—had a wide variety of needs.
These included modernizing the lighting and audio systems, expanding the orchestra pit, improving handicapped accessibility, abating the asbestos, upgrading the dressing rooms, and streamlining theater operations—not to mention updating the theater's aesthetics to modern standards. The Building Team was further constrained by having to maintain the seating capacity while making no significant changes to the structural box that acoustically isolates the theater.
Using a Revit building information model, the architects detailed the entire design down to the individual seat and worked closely with construction manager Whiting-Turner to discover not only the right design and constructability solutions, but also to estimate real-world costs and stay within the project's $17.9 million budget.
To solve the accessibility problem, ramps were introduced at the box tier through the new space available between diagonal bracing members, and the seating area was expanded to accommodate wheelchair seating. To enhance the intimacy of the theater, the balcony fronts at both the box tier and balcony levels were extended to create a softer line around the audience. Total seating capacity was actually increased by 24 seats.
New lighting positions, theatrical rails, dressing rooms, a new audio system, enhancements to the existing HVAC system, and control rooms were all designed to be hidden from view behind the theater's new walls. —Jeffrey Yoders, Senior Associate Editor
Related Stories
| Apr 3, 2012
Johns Manville publishes 2011 Sustainability Report
Report covers JM’s long-time sustainability focus and progress towards goals.
| Apr 3, 2012
Educational facilities see long-term benefits of fiber cement cladding
Illumination Series panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price. The design for Red Hawk Elementary School stems from the desire to create a vibrant place for kids to learn. In an effort to achieve this design, RB+B Architects selected Nichiha USA to provide a durable yet modern, contemporary exterior finish.
| Apr 2, 2012
TGP launches new fire-rated glazing website
Website offers online continuing education courses registered with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), BIM 3D models, and rapid-response quoting, among other support tools.
| Apr 2, 2012
EB-5 investment funds new Miramar, Fla. business complex
Riviera Point Holdings breaks ground on $17 million office center.
| Mar 27, 2012
Skanska hires aviation construction expert Bob Postma
Postma will manage Skanska’s nationwide in-house team of airport construction experts who lead the industry in building and renovating airport facilities and their essential features.
| Mar 21, 2012
10 common data center surprises
Technologies and best practices provide path for better preparation.
| Mar 20, 2012
Stanford’s Knight Management Center Awarded LEED Platinum
The 360,000-sf facility underscores what is taught in many of the school’s electives such as Environmental Entrepreneurship and Environmental Science for Managers and Policy Makers, as well as in core classes covering sustainability across the functions of business.
| Mar 20, 2012
New office designs at San Diego’s Sunroad Corporate Center
Traditional office space being transformed into a modern work environment, complete with private offices, high-tech conference rooms, a break room, and an art gallery, as well as standard facilities and amenities.
| Mar 13, 2012
China's high-speed building boom
A 30-story hotel in Changsha went up in two weeks. Some question the safety in that, but the builder defends its methods.
| Mar 12, 2012
Improving the performance of existing commercial buildings: the chemistry of sustainable construction
Retrofitting our existing commercial buildings is one of the key steps to overcoming the economic and environmental challenges we face.