Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater doubles the company’s previous facilities. The design by Bing Thom Architects included restoring two historic theaters, Fichandler and Kreeger, and adding a new experimental theater, Kogod Cradle.
Photography by © Nic Lehoux
A wood and glass structure encase all three theaters topped by a sculptural and dramatic cantilevered roof. Bing Thom Architects thoughtful site design has turned this project into a catalyst in the SW Washington community spurring redevelopment within the surrounding areas.
Photography by © Nic Lehoux
Working closely with the client, the architects focused on incorporating Artistic Director Molly Smith’s idea of ‘a theater for all that is passionate, exuberant, profound, deep and dangerous in the American spirit.
A new theater, subsurface administration, parking and support spaces, rehearsal halls and a free span roof with bars and a cafe enclosed by a one of a kind wood/glass cable supported curtain-wall system. Arena Stage has a free-form roof and a 140′ cantilever. Over 15,000 cubic yards of architectural concrete was used, and a complex audio, theater, acoustic and MEP systems.
plan
Project Info
Architects: Bing Thom Architects
Location: Washington, DC, United States
Principal: Bing Thom, Michael Heeney
Project Director: James Brown
Theater Consultant: Fisher Dachs Associates
Structural Engineer: Fast & Epp
Electrical Engineers: Stantec, in association with Vanderweil Engineers
Mechanical Engineers: Yoneda & Associates
Lighting Design: William Lam
Civil Engineers: Wiles Mensch Corporation
Acoustical Engineer: Talaske
Code Consultant: LMDG in association with Koffel Associates
Glazing Consultant: RA Heintges & Associates
General Contractor: Clark Construction
Construction Manager: KCM, Paeonian
Client: Arena Stage
Area: 200000.0 sqm
Year: 2010
Type: Cultural Center
Photographs: Nic Lehoux
Manufacturers: Assa Abloy, BASF, DalTile, Dorma, Dupont, Kawneer, Schlage, Henry Company, Firestone Building Products, GE
