The Laurence Frost Amphitheater redesign has completed at Stanford University.
The amphitheater was originally built in 1937 to host university functions and events. The space quickly evolved to host community events, musical acts, and classical concerts before falling into disuse over the past few decades due to lack of accessibility and production infrastructure.
The goal of the Frost Amphitheater's recent redesign was to create greater accessibility for larger acts to play and the ability to house student shows and various university events. Additionally, CAW’s design mission was to create a more modern experience while preserving the beauty and serenity of the historic site. The modernization was achieved by the creation of curved tunnels for wayfinding and crowd management and a curved wall that serves as a shield to the stage building beyond.
New entrances to the amphitheater were created by designing a unique and strategically placed system of tunnels through the tree-covered slopes. Guest amenities, an updated service and stage entrance, a stage building with a canopy cover to protect the performers, and upgraded lighting and sound infrastructure were also included in the redesign.
When the amphitheater opens without any social distancing restrictions up to 8,000 guests can be accommodated.
Related Stories
Performing Arts Centers | Oct 30, 2023
A long-delayed theater will soon open inside a popular Texas entertainment hub
Rayleigh Underground’s design mixes the latest technology with the sense of being in an excavated space.
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.