moshe safdie: kauffman center for the performing arts complete

'the kauffman center for the performing arts' by moshe safdie, kansas city, missouri
images © tim hursley


construction is now complete for kansas city's kauffman center for performing arts by international firm moshe safdie and associates.
set to open to the public on september 16, 2011, the facility will become home to ballet, contemporary dance, various genres of music,
broadway productions and the like. the iconic building contains cutting edge technology providing artists a premier space to present their work.



northeast facade


a sweeping curtain wall along the southwest facade allows abundant natural light to enter a large atrium space, the
brandmeyer great hall. the buildings dominant shell forms contain two large auditoriums, the muriel kauffman theatre and helzberg hall.
architectural details provide advanced acoustic elements for high quality performances and ample seating for spectators.



southwest facade


the glazed lobby encourages social gathering in the spaces located between the two auditoriums while offering sweeping
views of the city. multiple balconies overlooking the atrium connect to the various mezzanine levels within the theaters.
this arrangement allows patrons to easily leave their seat in the audience to enjoy the view during intermissions.



facade detail


designboom has been following this project since its inception highlighting early design phases and construction.



brandmeyer great hall



muriel kauffman theatre interior



helzberg hall interior




section through muriel kauffman theatre
image courtesy of safdie associates



section through helzberg hall
image courtesy of safdie associates


project details:

architect: moshe safdie / safdie architects
total square footage: 285,000 square feet

principal spaces:
muriel kauffman theatre: 18,900-square-foot house
helzberg hall: 16,800-square-foot house
brandmeyer great hall: 15,000 square feet
performing arts center terrace: 113,000 square feet
offices for the kauffman center staff: 7,000 square feet
1,000-car garage, owned and operated by the city of kansas city, mo
shared backstage facilities: dressing accommodations for over 250 performers, 11 rehearsal and warm-up rooms,
meet-and-greet lounge

materials:
40,000 square feet of glass
10.8 million pounds of structural steel
25,000 cubic yards of concrete
1.93 million pounds of plaster
27 steel cables, each holding up to 500,000 pounds of force

design team:
associate architect: bnim architects
acoustics: nagata acoustics
theatre design: theatre projects consultants
structural engineer: arup usa, inc.
local structural engineer: structural engineering associates, inc.
mep/fire protection engineers: arup usa, inc.
local mep engineers: wl cassell & associates, inc.
project manager: land capital corporation
general contractor: j.e. dunn construction
civil engineer: taliaferro and browne, inc.
security: m-e engineers, inc.
landscape architect: reed hilderbrand associates, inc.
sound: engineering harmonics, inc.
lighting: lam partners, inc.

muriel kauffman theatre

square footage: 18,900-square-foot house
seating capacity: 1,800 seats
stage: 5,000-square-foot stage; width of stage opening may be adjusted from 40’-50’
orchestra pit: up to 1,300 square feet; accommodates as many as 96 musicians
features & systems: 73’9” fly tower accommodates scenery up to 2,000 lbs. and 30’ tall. fully walk-able rigging
grid is accessible by stairs, ladders, and elevator. retractable acoustic banner system allows for acoustical adjustments
accommodating both small and large-scale productions. stage curtain contains motorized counterweight lineset;
center and intermediate splits allow for motorized split travel or guillotine opening

helzberg hall

square footage: 16,800-square-foot house
seating capacity: 1,600 seats
stage: 2,700 square feet, including six lifts which form an adjustable riser system
pipe organ: 79 stops, 102 ranks, 5,548 pipes; custom-designed mechanical action organ in the french romantic tradition,
built by quebec firm casavant frères
features & systems: fixed acoustical canopy above the stage. retractable banner system included in side walls and above
fixed canopy. six 1,000-pound point hoist systems to hang custom curved trusses. five skylights allow natural daylight to
filter into hall.