REX unveils design of perelman performing arts center for new york's WTC site

plans have been revealed for a new performing arts complex to be built at the world trade center site in new york. designed by architecture studio REX, the perelman center will produce and premiere theater, dance, music, film, opera, and multidisciplinary works, while offering a wide range of amenities for both visitors and residents.

the building is considered the final piece of the world trade center masterplan
image © DBOX

REX’s concept for the perelman center is inspired by the institution’s mission to ‘defy experiential expectations’. the center’s primary aims are to: foster artistic risk, incubate original productions, provide unparalleled flexibility, and deliver the most technologically advanced and digitally connected spaces for creative performance.

the volume is rotated to accommodate complex below-grade constraints
image © luxigon

‘the perelman center is an immensely flexible canvas on which directors can script the patrons’ entire experience from their very entrance into the building,’ explains joshua prince-ramus, principal of REX. ‘it is a ‘mystery box,’ a constant source of surprise for theatergoers and the community. we are honored to be involved with such an important project on such an important site.’

the structure is wrapped in translucent veined marble
image © luxigon

considered the final piece of the world trade center masterplan, the performing arts center will join other landmark structures, such as the SOM-designd one WTC and santiago calatrava’s transportation hub. the building, rotated to accommodate below-grade constraints, is wrapped in translucent, veined marble — sourced from the same vermont quarry as the U.S. supreme court building and the thomas jefferson memorial — laminated within insulated glass.

the performing arts center will join other landmark structures, such as santiago calatrava’s transit hub
image © luxigon

by day, the volume appears as an elegant stone edifice, designed to acknowledge the solemnity of its context. however, after dark, silhouettes of human movement and theatrical configurations animate the glowing enclosure, revealing the creativity inside. the approximately 90,000 square-foot building contains three auditoria (499, 250, and 99 person), as well as a rehearsal room that can double as a fourth venue. the auditoria can combine to form seven additional performance spaces for a total of eleven arrangements — including the rehearsal room venue — which can all adopt manifold stage-audience configurations.

the complex contains three auditoria, as well as a rehearsal room
image © luxigon

‘today the world trade center site stands as a monument to our nation’s ability to prevail in its darkest hour,’ governor cuomo said. ‘the perelman performing arts center will highlight the values that make new york exceptional – the celebration of diverse cultures from every corner of the globe. this center will help complete the renewal of lower manhattan and, on behalf of all new yorkers, I welcome this institution and thank those who are working to make this vision a reality.’

scheduled to open in 2023, the last cost estimate for the perelman center came in at $243 million USD.

the building has been designed to be as flexible as possible
image © luxigon

the venue is capable of hosting a range of different events
image © luxigon

the complex will produce and premiere theater, dance, and music
image © luxigon

after dark, silhouettes of human movement animate the glowing enclosure
image © luxigon

the striking façade illuminated at night
image © luxigon

the perelman center is scheduled to open in 2020
image © K18

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project info:

name: ronald o. perelman performing arts center at the world trade center
location: new york city, NY, USA
client: ronald o. perelman performing arts center at the world trade center
program: performing arts center, including three auditoria (499-, 250-, and 99-person) which can combine to form seven additional arrangements, and a rehearsal room—all eleven of which can adopt manifold stage-audience configurations; flexible front- and back-of-house circulation that can create diverse patron entry/intermission/exit processions; and (A-Z) offices, performer support spaces, and restaurant/bar
area: 8,400 sqm (90,000 sqf)
status: invited competition 2014; first prize 2015; commenced schematic design 2016; completion expected 2020

design architect: REX
personnel: adam chizmar (PL), maur dessauvage, alysen hiller fiore (PL), sebastian hofmeister, suemin jeon, claire kuang, kirby liu, weronika marciniak, joshua prince-ramus, vaidotas vaiciulis
competition team: giannantonio bongiorno, adam chizmar (PL), alberto cumerlato, mahasti fakourbayat, alysen hiller fiore (PL), gabriel jewell-vitale, min kim, dominyka mineikyte, elizabeth nichols, joshua prince-ramus, raul rodriguez, michal sapko, emma silverblatt, elina spruza, michele tonizzo, vaidotas vaiciulis, michael volk, cristina webb
executive architect: davis brody bond
consultants: arup, CCI, charcoalblue, cost plus, ducibella venter & santore, front, jaros baum & bolles, jenkins & huntington, magnusson klemencic, RWDI, sciame, silman, thornton tomasetti / weidlinger, threshold, wilson ihrig

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