ORO Editions

Flare

The design team considered both the physical and the philosophical when renovating a renowned theater focused on contemporary works, housed in a group of historic brick buildings. Repurposing and expanding the space by incorporating two adjacent structures — former auto repair and electric supply shops — allowed the theater to grow its dramatic and educational programming. Located on the corner of 14th and P Streets NW since 1987, the project energized this urban corner, and, along with new zoning initiatives, inspired more multipurpose buildings.

The theater’s mission involves engaging the community and appealing to a broad range of local and visiting audiences. Restoring — as well as reinventing — original exteriors, inserting modern elements and reconfiguring interiors accomplished a visual representation of this mission.

All three structures started out as car showrooms lined up along Washington’s former “Automotive Row” where the firm is located and has completed numerous projects. A twostory glass atrium inserted above the middle building accomplishes several objectives. First and foremost, it generates a cohesive design in merging old with new. The translucent glass box with sandblasted polycarbonate fins links the buildings, softens height differences and serves as an entry beacon. Clear walls also allow passersby to see activity inside, while theatergoers within can gaze outside. Exposed steel framing relates proportionally to historic exteriors, but the sleek atrium allows the theater to stand distinctively apart.

A double-height performance space with stepped seating for 200 occupies the northernmost building. To accomplish this structurally, the second-floor slab was surgically removed, and steel beams sit atop existing structural columns to support the upper levels. The deep beams also underpin the control booth, catwalks and lighting rigs.

Located above the ground-floor space are new administrative offices, classrooms and a fourth-floor black box theater. This space sits beneath sloped eaves overlooking the interior atrium and beyond to exterior views across nearby rooftops. Updates to the facility’s original corner façades work to enliven the street by backlighting photos of past performers topped by whimsical zigzags rendered in red neon.