REX architecture / OMA: dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theater

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 theatreimage courtesy REX architecture

dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatreimage courtesy REX architecture dallas center for the performing arts dee and charles wyly theatre building planimage courtesy REX architecture

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

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

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

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

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

how the tubes are connectedimage courtesy REX architecture

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

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

tubes connected to form the building facadeimage courtesy REX architecture tubes connected to form the building facadeimage courtesy REX architecture

tube extrusionsimage courtesy REX architecture

tube extrusionsimage courtesy REX architecture

tube extrusions – detailimage 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, 2×4