studio gang-designed writers theatre breaks ground near chicago

studio gang-designed writers theatre breaks ground near chicago
image © studio gang architects
all images courtesy of writers theatre

for the design of its new home in glencoe, illinois, a suburb just north of chicago, writers theatre commissioned local practice studio gang architects to conceive a facility of two performance spaces, which is transparent to the community as well as the surrounding parks. over the past year the institution has been raising funds through their ‘on to a new stage’ campaign, which to date has raised $26.5 million of the $31 million base plus $3 million reserve goal. following this significant progress, the project held its groundbreaking ceremony on october 21, 2014 to commemorate the beginning of construction.

a distinctive timber-frame volume extends above the facility’s main entrance, with wood slats lining its exterior
image © studio gang architects

expected to open in 2016, the 36,000 square foot building will contain a 250-seat theatre, a smaller performance hall flexible to accommodate between 50-99 guests, and a spacious main lobby with an upper level gallery walkway above. central to the design’s concept is a ‘theatre in the park’ atmosphere, resulting in the inclusion of a rooftop garden/deck as well as transparent patron access and views to surrounding parks.

the lobby area features stepped seating and wrapped by an upper level gallery walkway
image © studio gang architects

the theatre center features a distinctive timber-frame volume extending toward the street beyond the main mass. the structural element was conceived in collaboration with engineer peter heppel, and is composed as a ring of vierendeel trusses with a screen of wood slats wrapping around the exterior. it both encloses an upper level gallery walkway, while also covering the outdoor space surrounding the lobby to blend the transition between interior and exterior.

the 250 seat theatre has been designed to provide an intimate relationship between viewers and performers
image © studio gang architects

jeanne gang, founding principal of studio gang architects, states on the occasion of the project’s groundbreaking:

‘our process has been built around the creative team dialogue with writers theatre, its audiences, and the community, and we could not be more excited to celebrate this milestone today while looking forward to the ideas that will soon become a built reality in 2016. the design of writers theatre’s first purpose-built theatre reinforces their important mission and vision to maximize the feeling of intimacy between actors and audience within the park-like setting of downtown glencoe.’

a vegetated rooftop terrace provides park-like experiences within the facility
image © studio gang architects

the theatre is expected to open in 2016
image © studio gang architects

in relating the facility among a larger network of cultural institutions, writers theatre’s artistic director michael halberstam remarks,

‘our new building ensures that writers theatre becomes part of the permanent landscape of the chicago cultural community, taking its place alongside the nation’s leading dramatic institutions. after more than two decades of theatrical productions, writers theatre is on the path towards establishing a world-class theatre center for artists that will serve hundreds of thousands of patrons and provide educational resources for students for generations to come.’

building sections
image © studio gang architects

an exploded axonometric clarifies the theatre’s programmatic layout
image © studio gang architects

theatre trustees, lead donors, and architect jeanne gang during the groundbreaking ceremony
photo by abby mckenna

1/3

 

 

 

project team:

management counsel: AMS planning & research corp
theatre consultant: auerbach pollock friedlander
landscape architect: coen + partners
MEP/fire protection engineer: dbHMS
structural engineer: halvorson and partners
lighting consultant: lightswitch architectural chicago
engineering design specialist for grand gallery walk: peter heppel associates
security/IT consultant: premiere systems
civil engineer: SPACECO, inc.
architect: studio gang architects
graphics designer: thirst
acoustical consultant: threshold acoustics
cost consultant: venue consulting
contractor: w.e. o’neil
LEED/sustainability consultant: WMA consulting engineers