flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture’s The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare to begin construction this spring at Navy Pier

Performing Arts Centers

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture’s The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare to begin construction this spring at Navy Pier

Among the unique design features is a movable set of structural audience “towers” that allows for directors and designers to create a space that works best for their specific performances.


By David Malone, Associate Editor | April 1, 2016

Rendering courtesy © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

If construction be the food of love, build on. That’s how that Shakespeare quote goes, right? Regardless, building is exactly what Chicago Shakespeare and Navy Pier are doing when it comes to the new lakefront theater, known as The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, which will begin construction this spring at Navy Pier.

Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the new theater will be as resourceful, sustainable, and adaptive as possible while still providing a world-class theater experience. The Yard is being constructed at the site of what was formerly the Skyline Stage, and is repurposing some components from that venue, which was located adjacent to Chicago Shakespeare. The new theater will be connected to the existing facility, which already houses two other theaters, through expanded lobbies, and will have the ability to be configured in myriad of shapes and sizes that will accommodate audiences ranging from 150 to 850 people.

A few of the main features from the Skyline Stage that are being repurposed are the backstage support spaces and the stagehouse. A fully enclosed, indoor theater chamber is being constructed beneath the white dome and a movable set of structural audience “towers” allows for directors and designers to create a space that works best for their specific performances.

These mobile towers are the size of a city bus stood up on its end and contain three levels of seating each. In addition to the seats, the towers will house theatrical technology and connect into a network of HVAC components and sprinkler systems.

The project will cost $35 million and is expected to be funded by a combination of a $15 million investment by Navy Pier, Inc. and $20 million in capital funding from the theater's Our City, Our Shakespeare Campaign.

The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare is a smaller piece in the grand scheme of James Corner Field Operation’s Pierscape redesign project, which looks to update and transform Navy Pier into a global destination.

“Creating this state-of-the-art performance venue is another step in the redevelopment of Navy Pier to ensure that it remains one of Chicago’s premier centers for commerce but also for culture and I want to thank Chicago Shakespeare for their tremendous contribution to that effort,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel was quoted as saying in a press release.

The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare will be opened in Fall 2017, just in time for the 2017-18 season.

 

 

Rendering courtesy © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

 

Rendering courtesy © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

 

Rendering courtesy © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

 

Rendering courtesy © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

Related Stories

Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023

Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023

Stantec, HDR, Page, HOK, and Arcadis North America top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.

Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023

2023 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms

A record 552 AEC firms submitted data for BD+C's 2023 Giants 400 Report. The final report includes 137 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.

Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023

Top 175 Architecture Firms for 2023

Gensler, HKS, Perkins&Will, Corgan, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.

Performing Arts Centers | Jul 18, 2023

Perelman Performing Arts Center will soon open at Ground Zero

In September, New York City will open a new performing arts center in Lower Manhattan, two decades after the master plan for Ground Zero called for a cultural component there. At a cost of $500 million, including $130 million donated by former mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the Perelman Performing Arts Center (dubbed PAC NYC) is a 138-foot-tall cube-shaped building that glows at night.

Performing Arts Centers | Jun 20, 2023

Designing arts spaces that curate inclusivity

GBBN's Julia Clements and Marcene Kinney, AIA, LEED AP, talk tips for designing inclusive arts spaces.

Museums | Jun 6, 2023

New wing of Natural History Museums of Los Angeles to be a destination and portal

NHM Commons, a new wing and community hub under construction at The Natural History Museums (NHM) of Los Angeles County, was designed to be both a destination and a portal into the building and to the surrounding grounds.

Performing Arts Centers | Jun 6, 2023

Mumbai, India’s new Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre has three performing arts venues

In Mumbai, India, the recently completed Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) will showcase music, theater, and fine arts from India and from across the globe. Atlanta’s TVS Design served as the principal architect and interior designer of both the cultural center and the larger, adjacent Jio World Centre.

Architects | Jun 6, 2023

Taking storytelling to a new level in building design, with Gensler's Bob Weis and Andy Cohen

Bob Weis, formerly the head of Disney Imagineering, was recently hired by Gensler as its Global Immersive Experience Design Leader. He joins the firm's co-CEO Andy Cohen to discuss how Gensler will focus on storytelling to connect people to its projects.

Performing Arts Centers | Mar 9, 2023

Two performing arts centers expand New York’s cultural cachet

A performing arts center under construction and the adaptive reuse for another center emphasize flexibility.

Virtual Reality | Feb 27, 2023

Surfing the Metaversity: The future of online learning?

SmithGroup's tour of the Metaversity gives us insight on bringing together physical and virtual campuses to create a cohesive institution.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Giants 400

Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023

Stantec, HDR, Page, HOK, and Arcadis North America top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.



Giants 400

Top 175 Architecture Firms for 2023

Gensler, HKS, Perkins&Will, Corgan, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.


Performing Arts Centers

Perelman Performing Arts Center will soon open at Ground Zero

In September, New York City will open a new performing arts center in Lower Manhattan, two decades after the master plan for Ground Zero called for a cultural component there. At a cost of $500 million, including $130 million donated by former mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the Perelman Performing Arts Center (dubbed PAC NYC) is a 138-foot-tall cube-shaped building that glows at night.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021