View of an empty theater or performance venue with green seats, stage, and stage lighting equipment.

The Irish Repertory Theatre resides within the bottom three floors a 1913 loft building with ten stories of luxury residences above.  It was minimally constructed with volunteer labor in 1995 and by 2016 needed substantial redesign to facilitate the theaters ambitious programming.  Working within an occupied building Garrison Architects and Silman Engineers expanded the theater to create a new two story house and stage. 

Empty auditorium with green padded seats, a stage with a stool, and a staircase leading to the upper level, in a modern theater or performance venue.

Portions of the existing building floor were removed, columns were transferred and a balcony was constructed with 40 new seats and excellent views of the stage. The balcony now connects the second floor to the entry level to make the theater more accessible and convenient for staff preparation and combined events.  Much architectural attention was given to the patrons arrival experience with a new stair to the balcony that provides dramatic views of the house and stage.   

Cross-section of a modern, multi-level auditorium or theater with seating, stairs, and a stage with performers.
Interior of a theater or auditorium showing stairs and seats with green upholstery, overhead lighting, and stage lighting equipment.
Floor plan of a building with multiple rooms including a stage, seating area, and restrooms.
Floor plan of a building with multiple rooms, including a large auditorium or conference room with many chairs, restrooms, and staircases.
Architectural cross-section drawing of a modern multi-story building with stairs, interior spaces, and exterior elements like a tree and people.

At the same time lighting, controls, acoustics, life safety, and functional relationships of the theater were all greatly improved.  New heat pump heating and cooling with careful engineering allowed the project to achieve LEED Silver Certification.

Client
NYC DDC Design Excellence Program

Status
Complete

Info
2016
Institutional
New York, NY

Awards
ENR New York Cultural/Worship Merit Award