David Lamb Photography
Location:Bronxville, NY
Completion Date:2015
Awards:AIA WHV High Honor Award, AIANYS Excelsior Award, Learning by Design Outstanding Project
Originally built in 1922, the Bronxville School auditorium was urgently in need of reconfiguration and restoration. In spite of ongoing work to maintain the facility, by 2012 the auditorium was in a state of disrepair with missing seats, poor lighting, improper sightlines, and non-functional balcony that was no longer in use. Additionally, a 1960s renovation created a false proscenium over the original and closed in the tall windows on both sides of the auditorium. As a result, the renovated proscenium swallowed performance sound and the lack of natural light reduced the auditorium’s flexibility.
Original 1929 theater, 1960s renovation, and completed historic renovation.
The design team was tasked with restoring the beauty and functionality of the original auditorium while incorporating 21st Century elements to create a multi-use space for the Bronxville community. The project goals included maximizing seating capacity and performance space, improving sightlines and the overall acoustics of the space and creating a separate space for public access.
Original 1929 theater, 1960s renovation, completed historic renovation.
The design of the renovated auditorium combines historic restoration and traditional wood craftsmanship with the openness and technical capabilities of modern theatre design. The project fully redesigned the floor elevation and seating layout of the space to improve sightlines and created a fully accessible stage and seating area with a wrap-around balcony that provides an intimate and acoustically excellent theatrical experience. The new and improved technical elements include motorized stage rigging, LED theatrical lighting and integrated audio-visual systems, energy-efficient HVAC system, a new lighting control room and catwalks in the attic to provide access theater lighting. The restored proscenium, the open fabric paneled ceiling, and the addition of a fully retractable acoustic curtain in the attic result in an acoustically flexible space that is suitable for music and spoken performance events. While the restored windows bring in natural light, motorized fabric and blackout shades provide full control of the lighting levels to suit the need of the performance.
Entry and lobby addition.
Another key new feature is a 1,850-square foot lobby addition, which provides improved traffic flow to the auditorium and band room, functions as a gathering and instructional space and creates a separate and secure public entrance. The steel framed addition was designed with a custom brick exterior to match the original building over durable cavity wall construction.