During construction, the owner, the Rogers Foundation, asked the project team to maximize theater occupancy from its initial seating scenario of 150 occupants to a stand-up performance space of 407 occupants.

Photo by Studio J

The design team—led by Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects—quickly reviewed local codes and identified the necessary changes needed to provide extra ventilation for the additional building occupancy, along with city approvals. Over multiple work sessions to identify details, materials, equipment and lead times that would minimize cost and schedule impacts, the project team accommodated the owner’s request with limited cost and schedule impacts.

Now, the main theater features raked seating, with approximately 150 seats on a retractable platform that can be moved to convert the space into a multi-purpose black box theater.

Multiple lighting plots allow for various end uses and staging in multiple directions, while a 360-sq-ft screen coupled with a motorized cinema masking system maximizes viewing angles from every seat in the house. A retractable wall and glazing system connect the theater box to the adjacent courtyard.

Additionally, the design team invested significant time in developing an intricate custom metal perforated panel system that embraces the outdoor spaces, creating arrays of light and shadow.

Photo by Studio J

Understanding that it was going to take subcontractor input to be able to weigh in on attachment methods, panel sizes, material limitations and secondary steel requirements while managing the overall budget, the project team agreed on the importance of engaging design-assist subcontractor YESCO. The team worked together over the next several months to review and refine a multitude of perforation panel sections, seam layouts and secondary steel configurations.

Creating a full-size scale 10-ft by 10-ft full-height mock-up of a theater section off site ahead of construction helped the team visualize the different systems that would be needed, along with materials and finishes. Another challenge arose for contractors when an end grain white oak wood chosen for the theater floor, walls and doors required a specific climatization process to ensure limited movement after installation.

While other construction progressed, the team limited access to this room and added barriers  while also monitoring temperature and humidity within the theater three times a day to maintain stable conditions.