Shirley Tyree Theater

The Shirley Tyree Black Box Theater design expands an existing 4,000 square foot cornerstone building with two additions – a single-story addition to the north of the original building, and a precast two-story addition to the east – to expand upon services currently offered by the Union for Contemporary Arts. The renovation and new addition required careful coordination. Fitting a working studio theater and its required programs onto a compact, urban site presented challenges. The design team conducted numerous studies that considered various addition sizes. After thorough investigation and vetting of options, the team settled on a plan that included renovating part of the existing building and adding on to ensure the performance center met the clients’ needs. The addition provides the necessary volume for the theater and adjacent workshop with a reinforced structure and upgraded mechanical systems for the expanded facility. Solar panels were added to the roof to add to the sustainable objectives set by the client. The original building facade, roof structure, and parapets were maintained to showcase the history of the site and blend with the neighborhood. Perforated black steel panels were added to act as an architectural bridge between old and new, and to mark key entry points, while giving a nod to previous detailing on the rest of the campus. The custom-colored precast panels on the addition’s exterior wrap to the interior, punctuating the space with color and movement, while paying tribute to the historic red brick of the original building facade. Organic patterns created during the panel fabrication process add visual and textural drama, and hint at the theatrical movements of the activities within the space. Inside, white walls and cool marble service points are complimented by the warm end grain wood flooring. Ruby tones accentuate the quiet interior pallet and scalloped ceiling elements bring focus to the reception core. A serpentine reception bench echoes the exterior color palette, softening the building’s architectural rigor. Collaboration through community input and engagement were a key component of the project, especially regarding neighborhood infrastructure improvements. Once a lively commercial and entertainment node, the energy is now back thanks in part to the new space and the explosive growth in program offerings it has allowed. The Union for Contemporary Art is now even better situated to share the arts with its neighbors and the community.