Bing Thom's Arena Stage Expansion
Bing Thom's Arena Stage Expansion
The Arena Stage sits on a triangular site at the intersection of 6th Street SW and Maine Avenue SW in the part of Southwest D.C. referred to as the Anacostia Waterfront. Although the footprint of the building consumes a majority of the site, the structure has a comfortable scale. The curving transparent facade is a 45 foot tall clear glass curtain wall system, which extends full height from grade to the underside of the roof, exposing the unique wood column structure behind. Horizontal Parallam wood members are integrated with the window frame system and connect gracefully back to the wood columns, providing an almost invisible support for the curtain wall. Beyond the 35,000 square feet of glass curtain wall is the large central lobby space inside.
A total of three theater venues (one new and two existing) are organized around the central lobby space, which also serves as the architectural focal point under the roof. The renovation and expansion project boldly encapsulate the original Fichandler Stage, an in-the-round auditorium with 683 seats, and the Kreeger Theater, a fan-shaped theater with 514 seats. Currently under construction, the Cradle, an oval theater with flexible seating for 200, will complement the renovated Fichandler Stage and Kreeger Theater.
One of the most significant features of the Arena Stage is the roof, which was constructed primarily of steel girders and trusses. The large sweeping cantilever proudly overlooks the waterfront to the south and west, with the northwest end pointing dramatically toward the Washington Monument. With the Arena Stage's symbolic design and significant positioning on the site, it is set to establish future development within the area.
Construction within the Fichandler Stage | February 2010
Basket weave detail of the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle walls | February 2010
Construction within the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle | February 2010
Parallam wood columns
Common lobby within Arena Stage
Exterior of Arena Stage | February 2010
Construction Videos
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Video Hard Hat Tour - Part 1: Video tour of Arena Stage expansion and renovation project
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Video Hard Hat Tour - Part 2: Video tour of Arena Stage expansion and renovation project
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Time-lapse video of the Arena Stage expansion and renovation project
