THE 2280ID

ACT II Architecture Project

[Photograph of the “Stephen Sondheim Theatre” by Tanya Braganti, Illustrates the external preserved neoclassical architectural elements of the original Henry miller theatre built in 1918.]

[Photograph of the “oval lobby of the Stephen Sondheim Theatre” by Tanya Braganti, depicts the addition of contemporary black and white checkered tile flooring while also preserving the original historical oval shape of the lobby.]

[Photograph by Tanya Braganti, Illustrates the view of the audience seating from the stage. Seating includes 699 seat in the orchestra and 346 seats in the mezzanine.]

Reference for above 3 photographs:

Braganti, T. (2013). Spotlight on Broadway. Retrieved October 27, 2020, from https://www.spotlightonbroadway.com/theater-architecture

[Photograph by dbox ©, image taken from side wing of stage. Reflects a general idea of the size of the stage compared to the size of the theatre. ]

[Photograph by dbox ©, Image of one of the preserved artifacts from the original Henry Millers theatre 1918]

[Photograph by dbox ©, depicts the intimate seating of the theatre when it is at it full capacity as well as the many modern lighting fixtures on the ceiling that were added doing the 2010 renovation. ]

[Photograph by dbox ©, sectional view of the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Illustrates the fly tower, stage, pit, auditorium, sound and lighting room, trap room as well as the bars, restaurants and facilities.]

Fly Tower

Stage

Trap Room Pit—>

Auditorium

Sound and Lighting

Bars, Restaurants,

Facilities ——>

References for above 4 Photographs:

Dbox. (2012). Gallery of Stephen Sondheim Theater / COOKFOX - 3. Retrieved October 27, 2020, from https://www.archdaily.com/283575/stephen-sondheim-theater-cook-fox-architects/dbox?next_project=no

Annotated Bibliography

10/27/2020

Stephen Sondheim Theatre (Henry Millers Theatre)

Vinnitskaya, I. (2012, October 22). Stephen Sondheim Theater / COOKFOX. Retrieved October 27, 2020, from https://www.archdaily.com/283575/stephen-sondheim-theater-cook-fox-architects

Designed by COOKFOX, an architectural agency that specializes in designing

innovative, beautiful and eco friendly architecture, “the Stephen Sondheim Theatre is a

state of the art New York city performing arts center built on the site of the 1918 Henry

miller theatre.” Housed behind a renovated facade that has been landmarked, the new

building is a significant addition to the community’s artistic historical heritage. Increased

from its original capacity, the seating capacity ranges from 950-1055. Although this

50,000 sure foot theatre is able to accommodate over 100 more audience members the

renovated theatre still is able to retain its sense of intimacy between the audience and the

performers. By preserving much of the original architecture, fabric and artifacts such as

antique doors and decorative plasterwork the space inside the Stephen Sondheim Theatre

allows audience members to feel as though they are being transported back historically to

Henry Miller’s time and place. Although much of the original construction was preserved

and restored, modern renovations such as black and white checkered tiles and modern

lighting fixtures were incorporated with historical features to create a contrasting effect.

The eco friendly contemporary modern architecture style of COOKFOX aims to

revolutionize the facilities of performing arts centers for future generation. Their mission

was to create a relaxed and safe environment for the cast, crew and audience menders.

They accomplished this goal by installing “a fresh air system that filters 95 percent of

particulate matter” and carbon dioxide sensors to provide extra ventilation when needed.

The innovative and environmentally conscious architectural elements in this project,

received the “US Green Building Council’s LEED Gold Certification.”

Adamson Associates Architects. (2017). Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Retrieved October 27, 2020, from https://www.adamson-associates.com/project/stephen-sondheim-theatre

With the objective of building a new broadway playhouse that maintains the intimacy

and proportions or the original 1918 theatre built by Allen, Ingalls and Hoffman, the

Stephen Sondheim Theatre was renovated. Although much of the technology was

redesigned, many of the historical Neoclassical architecture was preserved. For example

some of the original elements of the Henry miller theatre that were restored and

integrated into the new design was the oval reception area, antique doors and plaster

work were saved. An element that is a staple of neoclassical architecture that is still to

this day seen on the exterior of the building is two large urns on each side of the front

entrance. The renovated theatre features a larger orchestra pit with a fully functioning fly

tower, as well as a designated area for scene loading and a newer advanced acoustics

system. The mezzanine is located at the same level as the street. Audience members are

able to go down one level to the orchestra where a majority (2/3) of the seating is

situated. Some new facilities that were incorporated to increase circulation of the public

include, box office, concession stands, a lobby and ground level bar, a café and a

restaurant on the upper mezzanine. During the renovation the architects created a

spacious area to fit 20 wheel chairs for individuals who require accessibility services.

Often recognized as being an eco friendly building, The Stephen Sondheim theatre

utilizes modern technology to create walls made of recycled paper that look like metal

and stone, was one of the first buildings to have waterless urinals, and even uses ice

storage tanks under the theatre to generate ice for the following day. This theatre

renovation contained many technological advancements for its time. By using Modern

Georgian detailing, the architects were able to create the illusion of being inside a home

rather that a theatre venue and many parts of the theatre were painted with a color very

similar to the original “bright English green” that was once used in the original 1918

construction.

Person. (2018, January 31). Simply NY: Secrets of the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Retrieved October 27, 2020, from https://abc7ny.com/new-york-city-broadway-stephen-sondheim-theatre/3007464/

Located on West 43rd Street, The Stephen Sondheim Theatre is home to many famous

performances such as The Carol King Musical. Originally built in 1918 for the iconic

actor and producer Henry Miller for the viewing of theatrical plays, over the course of

100 years the space was often transformed to host a variety of art showings. Following

his death, the theatre was eventually sold to Seymour Durst in the late 1960s who

replaced theatre shows with feature film showings. Renamed the Avon-at-the-Hudson,

the space became a popular site for porn movie viewings. In the late 1970s the theatre

was renamed Xeon and reconstructed into a nightclub that featured popular music of the

50s and 60s. By the 1990s the theatre was renamed as the Kit Kat Club and once again

used for performances such as the cabaret. Coming the mid 2000s the theatre was

demolished to make room for the Bank of America Tower. Surrounded by many bank

facilities in what is known to be a business district, the Neo-Georgian style theatre was

rebuilt in 2010 to depict much of the original architectural elements seen in the 1918

Henry Miller theatre. Renamed after the well known American composer and lyricist

Stephen Sondheim, the now called Stephen Sondheim theatre is “one of only 2

subterranean houses on Broadway.”