dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre by REX architects
image courtesy REX architecture

REX architecture together with OMA have designed a new theatre in dallas.

for their design rather than use the traditional front-of-house and back-of-house functions
they have built up to include below-house and above-house. this redefines the traditional
theater in two ways. first, it liberates the perimeter of the theater’s chamber; exposed
on all sides, it can directly engage the city around it. no longer shielded by transitional
and technical zones—lobbies, ticket counters, and backstage facilities.

each of the performance chamber’s components—seating, light control, acoustic
separation, and surface—enjoys tailored flexibility without compromising any other
component. at the push of a button, seating and balconies can move, rotate, tilt, and disappear
completely to create proscenium, thrust, traverse, arena, flat-floor, and black-box configurations.
the light control blinds can be uniformly or individually lifted. the acoustic enclosure is
provided by a facade of operable glass. the stage and auditorium surface materials are
deliberately not precious to encourage scenic alteration.

the building is clad in a facade composed of six different aluminum extrusions, arranged
in six different combinations.


dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre
image courtesy REX architecture


dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre
image courtesy REX architecture

dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre building plan
image courtesy REX architecture


dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre
image courtesy REX architecture


dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre, interior
image courtesy REX architecture


dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre
image courtesy REX architecture


dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre
image courtesy REX architecture



dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre tube extrusions
image courtesy REX architecture


how the tubes are connected
image courtesy REX architecture


dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre building under construction
image courtesy REX architecture


dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre building under construction
image courtesy REX architecture


tubes connected to form the building facade
image courtesy REX architecture


tubes connected to form the building facade
image courtesy REX architecture


tube extrusions
image courtesy REX architecture


tube extrusions
image courtesy REX architecture


tube extrusions - detail
image courtesy REX architecture

general info
client: dallas center for the performing arts
program: 575 seat multi form theater with the ability to transform between
proscenium, thrust, traverse, arena, flat floor and black box configurations
area: 7, 700 meters squared
project cost: 354 million USD, including margot and bill winspear opera house,
dee and charles wyly theatre, annette strauss artists square and elaine d. and charles a.
sammons park
status: commenced 2004; under construction; completition expected 2009
design architect: REX / OMA
key personnel: joshua prince ramus (partner in charge) and rem koolhaas, with erez ella,
vincent bandy, vanessa kassabian, tim archambault
executive architect: kendall heaton
consultants: cosentini, DHV, donnell, front, HKA, magnusson klemencic, mccarthy,
mcguire, pielow fair, plus group, quinze & milan, theatre project, tillotson design,
transsolar, 2x4