Award of Merit, Cultural/Worship: Maltz Jupiter Theatre Expansion
Originally built in 1979 and renovated several times since, the three-story, 63,650-sq-ft structure serves as a modern not-for-profit regional production theatre with an expanded stage and full-scale rigging zone capable of hosting Broadway-scale productions. The orchestra pit was enlarged and fitted with a lift that allows for additional seating space or an expanded stage, thereby greatly improving flexibility and use of the space.
An informal design-phase constructability review identified potential issues with undermining the existing foundation which would require deep excavation, signification shoring of the existing and expensive soil improvements. The design was changed to eccentric foundations, which though larger, would prove more cost effective via faster and safer construction. Post shores and tower shores stabilized the existing theater during demolition of the original stage an entire proscenium wall, with a temporary hurricane-proof wall built to protect the interior.