Diller, Scofidio + Renfro Performing Arts Center @ Holy Cross | Worcester

[stellarfun]

Substantially complete. Cost $110 million.

^^^The main concert / theatrical performance hall.

^^^The northwest corner. Actual photo with a photoshopped human. I believe the aerodynamic foils at the roof-top are to deflect wind gusts up and over. This building is near the top of one of Worcester's windier hills

^^^ West facade and main entrance.

https://www.holycross.edu/webcams/prior-performing-arts-center

^^^ Webcam link

 

[SlothofDespond]

$110M for a 200 seat theater. A bunch of the seats don't even come close to facing the stage. *insert angry, perhaps beligerant rant about college tuition costs* But cool,. HC can keep up with construction at Bucknell, Colgate, and Leheigh. Jesus wept.

 

[stellarfun]

DS+R describes the project as having "venues for both fine arts and performing arts—the building houses a 400-seat proscenium theatre, a 200-seat flexible studio space, and the relocated Cantor Art Gallery."

Cost is $1,300 a square foot.

 

[cubalibre]

During construction last summer:

Worcester Infill and Developments

I guess my sarcasm above worked, as this is now proposed for the Mount Carmel plot. Not sure which direction the render points to but the garage is supposed to be built on the site where the church once stood...

archboston.com

 

[stellarfun]

More photos:

^^^ front entrance. NY Times design notes states that the cladding is glass fiber reinforced concrete.

^^^ Part of the central "Beehive"

^^^ Outdoor terrace.

^^^ Very deep stage area. I think the front section is the orchestra pit, covered over.

^^^ Another view of the "Beehive". Looks to be a skylight above.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/01/arts/design-world-events-products-people.html
^^^ Renfro on the design concepts.

 

[stellarfun]

More images from Archdaily
https://www.archdaily.com/989817/co...arts-center-diller-scofidio-plus-renfro-photo
and Archinect
https://archinect.com/news/article/150325371/see-inside-ds-r-s-newly-opened-prior-performing-arts-center-at-the-college-of-the-holy-cross

These seem to have been taken by a D S +R photographer.

 

[393b40]

The chairs on the sides that are angled perpendicular to the stage are a little weird... ideally I think you'd want those angled more like 45*

 

[Equilibria]

The chairs on the sides that are angled perpendicular to the stage are a little weird... ideally I think you'd want those angled more like 45*

I wonder if that's an accessibility requirement, for people who have trouble turning to face the stage?

 

[stellarfun]

image source metealocus.es. The image is not a rendering.

Possibly, the lack of cant (slant) in the loge seats close to the stage is driven by the acoustics. I believe the fluted concrete walls are intended to absorb sound, so there is little/no reverberation. The acoustics are tuned to an audience all facing the stage, and not surrounding the stage. That's my guess.

The acoustically superior 400-seat Luth Concert Hall and proscenium theater serves as the college’s principal venue for symphonic music, chamber music, jazz, and Gamelan, opera, music theater, and dance. We designed motorized acoustic banners, a motorized pit, and a movable orchestra shell to foster the highest level of acoustic flexibility. An inner wrapper of wooden wall and ceiling reflectors provides ideal symphonic acoustics.

https://www.jaffeholden.com/portfolio/project/prior-center-for-the-arts-college-of-the-holy-cross/

See also:
https://www.wired.com/2017/01/happens-algorithms-design-concert-hall-stunning-elbphilharmonie/