Aspen Institute | Paepcke Auditorium

Aspen Institute | Paepcke Auditorium


Renovations to the Walter Paepcke Memorial Building on the grounds of Aspen Meadows Resort have been completed. The landmark, named for Aspen Institute and the Aspen Skiing Company founder Walter Paepcke, underwent an $11 million renovation to update the interior and the available technology, and to make the building more energy-efficient. The Bauhaus design of the exterior was maintained.

The building’s auditorium received a 600-square-foot expansion, bringing the total number of seats to 410. The auditorium’s seats have been replaced with newer, more comfortable chairs. The technical upgrades include state-of-the-art sound and lighting and RealD 3D projection capabilities with Cinema sound (the latest in 3D technology); 42-inch monitors in the lobby were also added. The building uses 55 percent less energy after switching to a geothermal pond–driven heating and cooling system, and receiving new insulation and other energy-saving changes.

  • Client: The Aspen Institute
  • Architect: Mills + Schnoering Architects, LLC
  • Completion Year: 2010
  • Location: Aspen, Colorado
  • Acoustician: Jaffe Holden Acoustics
  • Building Size: 18,500 s.f.
  • Capacity: 410 seats

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Apollo Theater

Apollo Theater


Fisher Dachs Associates has been involved in the restoration of this 1913 landmark building since 2000. In partnership with architects Beyer Blinder Belle, over a series of phased renovations, FDA has introduced new seating and lighting positions, support space and green room renovations, a new fire curtain, and greatly improved rigging accommodations. These improvements allow much more flexibility for the Apollo’s programmed events.

Historic detail has been restored to the hallmark marquee, the original ornamental terracotta facade and metallic cornice, and ground-floor finishes. Beyer Blinder Belle has designed new box office facilities and entrance doors, and has enhanced the signage and graphic technologies to enable the Apollo to easily and quickly change notices for upcoming performances.

FDA is currently designing much-needed renovations to the stage house and counter-weight rigging systems.

  • Client: Apollo Theater Foundation
  • Architect: Beyer Blinder Belle
  • Completion Year: 2002
  • Location: New York, New York
  • Acoustician: Jaffe Holden Acoustics
  • Capacity: 1,400 seats

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American University in Cairo | Bassily Auditorium

American University in Cairo | Bassily Auditorium


Bassily Auditorium is the American University in Cairo’s main auditorium. Located in the Campus Center, the theatre accommodates 1255 people on two levels of fixed seating. FDA was charged with making the space suitable for a wide range of events: international conferences, symposia, meetings, seminars, concerts, presentations and performances.

FDA worked with the client to determine their needs for state-of-the-art audiovisual devices, which the school now uses frequently for film presentations and projection during events. The elevated stage has dressing rooms and additional support space behind.

  • Client: American University in Cairo
  • Architect: Legorreta + Legorreta
  • Arch. of Record: Abdel-Halim CDC / Sasaki and Associates
  • Completion Year: 2009
  • Location: Cairo, Egypt
  • Capacity: 1,255 seats

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Pennsylvania State University at York, Pullo Family Performing Arts Center

Pennsylvania State University at York
Pullo Family Performing Arts Center


The Pullo Family Performing Arts Center, which opened in 2005, is a multi-purpose space that hosts a diverse array of touring shows and concerts, as well as cultural, community and educational events. The theatre’s stagehouse is among the largest in the area, and it is equipped with a full complement of counterweight rigging sets. An orchestra shell and tracked curtains create a venue that is suitable for both symphony and amplified events. The 1000 seat room was designed to be a comfortable environment for campus events with small groups. Parterre seating and a balcony work together to create a sense of intimacy. The $12 million facility also includes general purpose and classroom space. A two-level atrium connects the Pullo Center to the new Glatfelter Library.

  • Client: Pennsylvania State University
  • Architect: Murphy & Dittenhafer
  • Completion Year: 2005
  • Location: York, Pennsylvania
  • Acoustician: Acoustic Dimensions
  • Building Size: 71,000 s.f.
  • Capacity: 1,000 seats

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Related Projects


The Ailey Studios | Joan Weill Center for Dance

The Ailey Studios
Joan Weill Center for Dance


This state-of-the-art complex consisting of studios, a “black box” theater, classrooms, and offices is believed to be the largest facility dedicated exclusively to dance in the United States.

The Company’s mission is to ensure that the Ailey organization continues to serve as a vital artistic, educational, and cultural center for future generations of dancers and choreogreaphers. The Company’s new building completed in 2004, houses twelve dance studios ranging from 1,250 sq. feet to 2,250 sq. feet; a black box theater with seating for up to 285 and the flexibility to convert into two studios; a costume shop; administrative space for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Ailey II Company, and the Ailey School, including concessions and boutique areas.

Students in The Ailey School now have access to a video-equipped library, student ounges, dressing rooms, and warm-up areas. The building was dedicated to, and is known as the Joan Weill Center for Dance, in honor of its major donor.

  • Client: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
  • Architect: Lu + Bibliowicz
  • Completion Year: 2004
  • Location: New York, New York
  • Acoustician: Cerami and Associates
  • Building Size: 76,000 s.f.
  • Capacity: 285 seats

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Pennsylvania State University, Eisenhower Auditorium

Pennsylvania State University | College of Arts and Architecture — Eisenhower Auditorium


Eisenhower Auditorium is Penn State’s primary theatrical performance space. Opened in 1974 and later named for former University President Milton S. Eisenhower, the modern-style auditorium hosts almost 200 events each year. The auditorium serves everything from University commencements to Future Farmers of America conferences. The Nittany Valley Symphony is another leading user of the performance space.

FDA worked with Voith & Mactavish Architects to conduct an evaluation of existing infrastructure and technology and then implemented a series of upgrades to the facility, including replacement of the fire curtain, improvements to the lighting systems, and structural changes.

  • Client: Pennsylvania State University
  • Architect: Voith & Mactavish Architects
  • Completion Year: 2017
  • Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
  • Building Size: 104,863 s.f.
  • Capacity: 2,500 seats

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Related Projects


Allen Independent School District | Performing Arts Center

Allen Independent School District

Performing Arts Center


When touring the Allen ISD Performing Arts Center, it is easy to forget that this facility was built for a high school district. The PAC, built for the well known Allen High School north of Dallas and also occupied by the Allen Philharmonic, features a 1,500 seat theatre with state of the art lighting and sound capabilities. The theatre is equipped with a variable acoustic drapery system which can be deployed to brighten or dampen the sound inside as an event requires. The back of house space includes generous dressing rooms, a full scene shop, a costume shop and a green room. In addition to the hall, there is also a spacious commons that looks into the new Culinary Arts classroom and restaurant. Additional spaces include a band rehearsal hall, renovations to other rehearsal spaces, and a new dance dressing facility that will all be accessed from the back of house to give more flexibility to artists during shows and events.

The Allen Philharmonic made their home here the year it opened, greatly expanding their capacity and allowing the orchestra to perform more challenging works. With excellent sightlines, accessible seating on all three levels, and a wonderful art gallery space on the second floor overlooking the commons, this building has quickly become a favorite in the community.

  • Client: Allen Independent School District
  • Project Category: Secondary Schools
  • Architect: PBK Architects
  • Completion Year: 2012
  • Location: Allen, Texas
  • Acoustician: BAI
  • Building Size: 155,000 s.f.
  • Capacity: 1,500 seats

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Pennington School Center for the Arts

Pennington School, Center for the Arts


The Pennington School, founded in 1838, is a vibrant day and boarding school with a very diverse student body and a range of academic and extracurricular programs to match.

Part of the Campus Center for the Arts, this flexible theatre, seating up to 200, is the home of Pennington’s drama and dance departments. Capable of being configured in several different theatre layouts, it is for student productions and rehearsals as well as for convocations and special events. A set of easily demountable platforms allows the generously proportioned space to become a thrust, endstage, or in-the-round theatre. Acoustic draperies can be deployed, creating a better acoustical environment for amplified events.

The Center also includes three instrument and vocal practice rooms for individual and group rehearsals, an art gallery and studios, classrooms, a tiered choral rehearsal room, a darkroom and a kiln room.

  • Client: Pennington School
  • Architect: Ford Farewell Mills Gatsch
  • Completion Year: 2005
  • Location: Pennington, New Jersey
  • Acoustician: Shen Milsom & Wilke
  • Building Size: 32,000 s.f.
  • Capacity: 200 seats

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Daegu Opera House

Daegu Opera House


The Daegu Opera House is a horseshoe-shaped auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,508. The opera house contains orchestra level and parterre seating; three balconies wrap around a hall dominated by a shallow dome. FDA has carved lighting coves into the dome so that stage lighting creates minimal architectural intrusion in the elegant, simple room. The flexible stage, which can be adapted for different performance requirements (music, opera and dance) includes a rear stage as well as left and right side stages to facilitate the efficient movement of large scenic elements. A stage lift also connects to an understage area to facilitate scenery storage. The spacious orchestra pit is equipped with two lifts to accommodate both large and small orchestras alongside performers on stage.

FDA helped to plan and design extensive support facilities include dressing rooms, conductors’ suites, practice rooms, a cafe, and a parking garage under the lobby.

Cheil Industries (‘Jeil Mojik’ in Korean) the parent company of Samsung Group, funded the entire project cost in fulfillment of a pledge to share a portion of their corporate profits with the citizens of South Korea.

  • Client: Cheil Industries
  • Architect: Samoo Architects & Engineers
  • Completion Year: 2003
  • Location: Daegu, Korea
  • Acoustician: Jaffe Holden Acoustics
  • Building Size: 185,000 s.f.
  • Capacity: 1,508 seats

Links


Westport Country Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse


In 1930, Lawrence Langner and his wife Armina Marshall commissioned Cleo Throckmorton to design a theatre in an old cow barn in the middle of an apple orchard. Since it opened in 1931, the now legendary Westport Country Playhouse has presented over 700 plays, including 75 that have gone on to Broadway.

Architects FFMG and FDA prepared a master plan for improvements to the Playhouse that will retain the character of the beloved historic theatre. The improvements will address audience and performer comfort and safety, and provide – for the first time in the Playhouse’s history – a year round performance space.

Among specific recommendations incorporated into the plan is a new stagehouse that makes more sophisticated and diverse productions possible. Other improvements include front-of-house and backstage additions containing updated and expanded lobbies, dressing rooms, and workshops; and new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. FDA’s contributions include a new stage, sound and lighting equipment, control booth, new orchestra pit and new and more comfortable seating. There will also be a new rehearsal hall in an adjacent barn, as well as new scene shop and dressing rooms.

  • Client: Westport Country Playhouse
  • Architect: Ford Farewell Mills Gatsch
  • Acoustician: Jaffe Holden Acoustics
  • Completion Year: 2005
  • Location: Westport, Connecticut
  • Capacity: 578 seats

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