Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 6

DEPARTMENT

the architects

Deliver Value To
Cultural Facilities
For cultural organizations with tight budgets, such as
community theaters, strategic and cost-effective renovations
boost capacity and open doors to long-term success.
Jeffrey Murphy, FAIA, Partner
MBB (Murphy Burnham & Buttrick Architects)

I

Billie Holiday Theater upgrades included new seating, enhanced lighting,
symmetrically reshaped interior walls, an expanded stage with sprungmaple flooring, and additional acoustical panels on the ceiling.

n cities across the United States, cultural organizations

a relatively modest outlay of about $4 million for a total

Finding ways to lower ongoing operating costs is a

serve vital civic roles promoting the arts, addressing

gut renovation and expansion of the 3,200-sq.-ft. perfor-

boon to nonprofits. At the Billie Holiday Theatre-a con-

social needs, supporting education, and creating com-

mance space, MBB evaluated every planning and design

verted milk-bottling plant that hadn't been renovated in

munity touchstones. Nonprofit groups, such as commu-

decision in light of those factors, always trying to provide

its 42-yr. lifespan-MBB added new boilers and air-condi-

nity theaters, offer access to the arts and platforms that

both at the same time.

tioning units that work with the building's existing geo-

nurture local talent. In addition, many of these organiza-

Performance upgrades included expanding the audito-

tions provide space for neighborhood-based events and

rium with new seating, upgrading lighting and life-safety

programming, all reinforcing a sense of local pride and

systems, adding stage rigging and audiovisual equipment,

community.

enhancing ADA accessibility, symmetrically reshaping

ADD FLEXIBILITY

thermal system. These improvements to the theater cut
energy use by 25%.

Yet most cultural organizations lack the benefits of

the interior walls, and extending the stage. These up-

Programmatic flexibility is the secret to success for to-

purpose-built venues. Their tight budgets and dwindling

grades make the space perform better as a theater, allow

day's cultural organizations. Many serve diverse con-

arts grants rarely cover the costs of constructing their

better and more varied programming, and create an en-

stituencies with varied needs, so facility renovations

dream facilities-or even adapting responsively as their

hanced viewer experience. In short, the project broadens

should accommodate the widest range of uses and

communities grow and needs change. As a result, strate-

the theater's capacity as a community asset and dynamic

civic amenities possible.

gic, targeted renovations become a necessity. By helping

local center.

At the Billie Holiday Theatre, upgrading theatrical equipment such as catwalks and rigging and adding

make these smart design choices, architects and project
teams can make it possible for today's cultural groups to

UPGRADE INFRASTRUCTURE

better audiovisual technology freed up critical room for

do more with less and, in many cases, enhance engage-

Many community facilities undergo incremental up-

screenings and other programs. Similarly, expanding the

ment with their respective communities.

grades because comprehensive renovations are often

stage area with sprung-maple flooring opened the door

Throughout the planning and design process, un-

out of reach or impractical without shutting down

for dance performances, which are high in demand in the

locking value takes a creative mix of thoughtful, targeted

operations. As a result, major infrastructure issues

community. Newly converted ground-floor rehearsal stu-

upgrades that improve crucial infrastructure and build-

often go unaddressed.

dios added opportunities for diverse creative expression,

ing systems and prioritize programmatic goals. Here are

Smart, tactical renovations focus on vital infrastruc-

adding new artists, partner institutions, artists-in-resi-

three key strategies for focusing efforts to achieve outsized

ture first, addressing legacy concerns relating to issues

dence, and school-outreach programs. Today, the theater

results.

such as accessibility and life safety. They also focus on the

engages its community in more innovative and meaning-

users, creating a better experience for all. For example, in-

ful ways than ever before.

FINE-TUNE PROJECT SCOPE

stalling new sprinkler deluge systems and fire alarms that

With smart choices and a strategic approach, ar-

With limited budgets and often-aggressive schedules,

communicate with base building alarms can dramatically

chitects and designers can help cultural organizations

renovations for community facilities demand cost-ef-

improve life safety. Upgrading to efficient LEDs can bring

turn facilities' challenges into opportunities to improve

fective and creative approaches. It's crucial for design

lighting up to code, save energy, and make circulation

functionality and increase community connections. For

teams to understand the client-organization's goals

and egress safer.

mission-based cultural groups, these architectural ideas

and set the project scope accordingly.

For a theater or music space, acoustically sealing all

are always center stage. CA

As an example, MBB's (New York, mbbarch.com)

doors helps reduce outdoor-sound intrusion and elim-

recent renovation of the historic Billie Holiday Theatre,

inate excessive noise transmission. Adding acoustical

Jeffrey Murphy, FAIA, is a partner at MBB (Murphy Burnham &

in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, focused

panels to a ceiling can boost sound projection to the

Buttrick Architects), an award-winning architecture firm based in

on two main goals of its parent group, RestorationART:

audience. These are often tough improvements to sell to

New York City (mbbarch.com). Murphy is a leading practitioner

provide state-of-the-art performance infrastructure and

clients, because they are not necessarily visible or appar-

in cultural, civic, and institutional architecture, as well as historic

strengthen the theater's bond with the community. With

ent to users, even though they support the programming.

preservation and adaptive reuse.

6

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

AUGUST 2018

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture August 2018

Architectural Photography
The Architects
Showcase
Index
Portfolio
Exteriors Products
Interiors Products
HVAC & Plumbing Products
Windows & Doors Products
Lighting & Electrical Products
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Cover1
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Cover2
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 1
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 2
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 3
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 4
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 5
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - The Architects
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 7
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 8
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Architectural Photography
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 10
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Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 56
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 57
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Exteriors Products
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - 59
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Interiors Products
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - HVAC & Plumbing Products
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Windows & Doors Products
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Lighting & Electrical Products
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Showcase
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Index
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Portfolio
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Cover3
Commercial Architecture August 2018 - Cover4
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