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The Opera House at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the nation’s performing arts center, recently underwent an extensive renovation. Handicapped accessibility on all levels of the theater has been improved. Additional modifications include upgrading the sound system, improving the lighting and environmental controls, replacing the orchestra-level floor, and adding an additional house elevator serving all lobby levels. Clark Construction’s Special Construction Group served as general contractor.
Designed by Quinn Evans Architects of Washington, D.C., the renovation work also included replacing wall covering and fixed theater seating, as well as the addition of new architectural millwork. The red wall covering and red carpet is custom designed specifically for the Opera House. The project team included Sachs Morgan Studio of New York, theater consultant; Jaffe Holden of Norwalk, Conn., acoustics; McMullen & Associates of Vienna, Va., structural engineer; and Gage Babcock of Chantilly, Va., life safety consultant.
The Clark team also modernized four existing elevators that serve the Opera House. This work included adding fire suppression systems, fire alarms, smoke detectors and additional lighting to each elevator machine room. New interior finishes, complementing those in the Opera House, also were installed. Wiss, Janney, Elstner of Illinois designed this portion of the project.
Improving handicapped accessibility throughout the theater was the main objective of the renovation. Seating areas were added at the rear of the orchestra level as well as the first and second tiers to allow patrons with disabilities more options throughout the venue. In addition to the improvements made to the seating, accessibility was enhanced at the restrooms, water fountains and telephones. A new wheelchair lift was added connecting the split tier lounge with the second tier. Now two wheelchair lifts are available to patrons, one on either side of the house.
Flat screen monitors were added in the lobbies and corridors allowing patrons to view performances. The orchestra pit was expanded and the stage edge was extended.
All crystal chandeliers and fixtures were removed to an offsite location for refurbishing. Crystal pieces from existing chandeliers were used to create new fixtures. Bronze hemispheres attached to the original wall covering were removed, refinished and reinstalled.
To complete the ceiling work, a large scaffolding system was constructed so multiple trades could work in the high areas at once. Wall covering was installed on the oculus, ceiling and high scallops; refinished chandeliers were reinstalled in the oculus and the rim of the oculus was gilded. This work was performed concurrently with the concrete and masonry work that occurred below the scaffolding on the orchestra level.
Opened in 1971, the Kennedy Center is one of the nation’s busiest performing arts venues, producing about 3,000 performances for two million patrons each year. It is home to the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Ballet and Washington Opera, and plays host to artists from around the world. The Opera House, with a massive stage used for the largest of Broadway musicals, national and international ballet and opera companies, as well as Washington Opera performances, seats 2,350 on a main floor and in two balconies and a row of boxes.
With this commission, Clark continued to make improvements to the historic Kennedy Center. In 1997, Clark Construction completed the Concert Hall renovation. Clark Concrete is currently working on the parking structure at the complex, which will add 600 more parking spaces.
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