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Architects: Flansburgh Architects
- Area: 975 m²
- Year: 2013
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Photographs:Matthew Millman
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Manufacturers: Atas International, Breezway, Fibergrate, Fleetwood, James Hardie, Mecho Systems, Staging Concepts
Text description provided by the architects. The project is a 10,500 sf assembly and performance space for Seabury Hall, a college preparatory school in Makawao on the island of Maui. The project replaces an existing assembly space that was small, dark, inflexible, unsafe, and poorly ventilated.
The site is a narrow promontory on the edge of the campus with views of Haleakala to the east and the ocean to the west. Its location at the edge of campus required that the design be particularly sensitive to the school's neighbors.
Theatrical capability was the highest priority. Natural ventilation and a pre-engineered structure were used to keep costs in line without sacrificing the theatre needs.
Program includes:
- A flexible 400-seat theatre capable of supporting multiple seating configurations with safe student access to multiple lighting positions.
- An attractive lobby space with a cafe and ample exhibit space for student work.
- A scene shop with outdoor vehicular access and direct access to the stage.
- A large stage with ample storage and direct access to the outdoors.
- An outdoor workspace and gathering space where students can work on scenery or rehearse during the day, use as back-stage space during a performance, or use as a performance space.
- A dressing room suite with toilet facilities.
- A dance studio with spring floor.
Design concept includes:
- The barn aesthetic is sensitive to the neighboring upcountry architecture. Its industrial materiality is not precious; it gives students license to explore new ways to engage the audience.
- The exterior glass walls are covered by fiberglass grating that controls daylight during the day and creates the look of candle light peeking through the open boards of a barn by night.
- The red seats, red walls, and red stair combined with the charcoal color of the steel structure and fiberglass grating hint at Haleakala's extinct volcanic activity.
- The openness of the floor plan, large barn doors, and sensitive siting create a strong connection between the interior spaces and the beautiful outdoors.
