The new Arena Stage in Washington, DC effectively doubled the size of the existing facility and incorporates state-of-the-art technology and modern amenities. Inspired by the vision of Arena’sArtistic Director,Molly Smith, for ‘a theatre for all that is passionate, exuberant, profound, deep and dangerous in the American spirit.’ the new Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater delivers a true centre where audiences for all three theatres and the full Arena family (artistic, technical, outreach and administrative) can come together and interact.
This complex renovation and expansion project involved the heritage restoration, preservation, and technical upgrade of the two existing historic theatres from the 1960s—the 514-seat proscenium Kreeger Theater and 680-seat Fichandler Stage—and the addition of an innovative and sculptural third theatre, the 200-seat Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle Theatre (aka Kogod Cradle). In contrast to the distinct character of the existing historic theatres in the complex, the Cradle delivers a captivating contemporary space with its own personality. Its dynamic outer spiral form fully integrates the experience of entering the theatre into the architecture.While the theatre’s oval shape and concave walls would ordinarily be detrimental to acoustics, Revery solved this problem by designing an acoustically permeable wall—inspired by the design of a woven basket—that is also visually enveloping.The expanded facility also comprises spacious work areas for rehearsals, set design and construction; classrooms for educational programs; community gathering spaces; expanded offices; a spacious centralized lobby, box office, and concessions;and underground parking.
To counteract the challenge of acoustic isolation in the two existing theatres, Revery’s design wraps all three buildings in a 45-foot-high insulated glass skin,successfully isolating outside noisewhile visually maintaining the integrity of the historic buildings and theirfaçades on both the interior and exterior of the building.The majestic roof cantilever above salutes the Washington Monument, summoning visitors and establishing Arena Stage as one of the preeminent landmarks of the new Washington. Connectingall three theatres as a whole,theintegrated lobby functions like an internal landscape, weaving around the theatres from the main street level to an outdoor terrace on the third.
The glass enclosure isheld in place by a system of large, heavy timber columns that also support the roof.Made of Parallam®, an engineered wood product, the columns have an elliptical shape to reduce their visual impact and are spaced 36 feet apart,maintain the building’s transparency. This was the first heavy timber building structure to be constructed in modern Washington and the first application of this form of hybrid wood and glass building enclosure in the United States.
The resultant design—which won full community support in fundraising efforts—encompasses many functions beyond those typical of a theatre and provides an open and welcoming community facility and central meeting point.
Since opening in 2010, the new Arena Stage has garnered considerable acclaim and a range of international awards,andhas bolstered new development in the area, truly transforming Southwest DC.
Material Used :
STRUCTURAL SYSTEM:
Parallam columns and muntin arms: StructureCraft Builders
Cast in Place Concrete: Clark Concrete
Steel Construction: Banker Steel Company, LLC
EXTERIOR CLADDING:
Glass Curtain Wall: Unitized IGU: ICON Exterior Building Solutions, LLC
Concrete: Clark Concrete
New Masonry: Ground-face CMU
DAFS (Direct Applied Finishing System): Synergy Acrylic by BASF Wall Systems
HISTORIC BUILDINGS:
Masonry Restoration: American Window and Building
ROOFING:
Sloping roof overhang: Firestone TPO
Main flat roof: Henry/Bakor Hot Rubberized System 790-11 (or Firestone
Modified Bituminous Roofing Membrane)
WINDOWS:
Aluminum: Kawneer
DOORS:
Entrances and exterior glass doors: ICON Exterior Building Solutions, LLC
Interior glass doors: Congressional Glass, LLC
Metal, Wood and Acoustic doors: C.H. Edwards
Fire-control doors: Overhead Door Company
Overhead doors: Cookson Rolling Doors
HARDWARE:
Locksets: Schlage
Closers: Ives, Dorma, LCN
Exit and Security Devices: Von Duprin, Besam/Assa Abloy
Acoustical Gasketing: Pemko
INTERIOR FINISHES:
Wood slat wall and ceiling finish: Stained 3/8” thick poplar
Wood Panels: Stained oak veneer
Wood Ceiling (Fichandler Theatre): Stained oak, tongue and groove
Glass Railings: Accent Architectural (glass and metal posts) and ISEC Inc. (wood rail)
Custom Main Lobby Carpet: Design by Bonnie Thom, Produced by Soroush
Concrete floor finish: Retroplate
Cabinetwork: ISEC Inc.
Decorative Stainless-Steel Stairs: CB Metal Design, Inc.
Miscellaneous Metals: Superior Iron Works Inc.
Framing and Drywall: Cleveland Construction
Acoustical ceilings: Armstrong
Suspension grid: Armstrong
Floor and wall tile: Daltile
Resilient flooring: Marmoleum
Paint and stains: Benjamin Moore and Pittsburgh Paints
FURNISHINGS:
Cradle Theatre Seating: Valley City Manufacturing Company
Fichandler and Kreeger Theatre Seating: Irwin Seating Company
Acoustic Fabric Panels: Z-Best Wallcoverings Inc.
Signage: Donor wall, way finding and building signage: Signs by Tomorrow
LIGHTING:
Exterior: Allscape, FC Lighting
Interior: Times Square Lighting, Lightolier, SPI Lighting, Lithonia Lighting
EQUIPMENT:
Rigging and Drapery: Pook Diemont& OHL Inc.
Restaurant Equipment: ACME Restaurant Equipment
Kitchen Appliances: GE Appliances
CONVEYANCE:
Hydraulic Elevators: Collins Elevator Company
PLUMBING:
Sinks: custom Corian molds, Franke, Whitehaus
Water closet and urinals: Kohler, American Standard
Faucets and Controls: Sloan, Cifial
