Inside The Glowing Theater Opposite The 9/11 Memorial | Unique Spaces | Architectural Digest | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The Pearlman Performing Arts Center boasts a novel design with a marble facade that dematerializes during the evening and a flexible configuration that allows for various stage and audience arrangements.

Key Insights

• 🥰 The Pearlman Performing Arts Center is located next to the 9/11 memorial, emphasizing the restoration of art as a counterpoint to the commemoration happening nearby.
• 🌟 The center's marble facade from Portugal emits a glowing Amber glow in the evenings, adding to its uniqueness and beauty.
• 👻 The flexible auditorium configuration of the center allows for endless possibilities in terms of stage and audience arrangements.
• 👻 The Trap, an automated underfloor area, provides versatility for stage configurations, allowing for different geometries and vertical movement.
• 🎭 The lobby designed by David Rockwell enhances the theater experience with its dramatic staircase and integrated lighting.
• 💦 The Pearlman Performing Arts Center aims to inspire profound work from talented individuals and create a community of theater enthusiasts.
• 🌱 New York's ambitious master plan and the addition of the Pearlman center contribute to the city's legacy of reinvention and architectural innovation.

Transcript

the Pearlman Performing Arts Center is a new Performing Arts Center that sits just adjacent to the 911 memorial it's wrapped in a marble from Portugal during the day it does project a kind of sobriety but then in the evenings it dematerializes and glows and has this incredible orange glow Amber glow that asserts itself within the context at the cor... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How is the Pearlman Performing Arts Center's facade illuminated?

The center's facade is illuminated by a series of chandeliers that run around the perimeter. These chandeliers are designed as Chevrons, with the top and bottom ones being the brightest and shining the farthest distance. As the linear elements on the chandeliers get closer to horizontal, they get slightly dimmer, creating a relatively uniform illumination at night.

Q: How many auditoria does the Pearlman Performing Arts Center have?

The center has three auditoria: the Zucati with 450 seats, the Nicholls with 250 seats, and the Duke with 99 seats. These auditoria can be combined and extended to create different configurations and proportions.

Q: What is the purpose of the underfloor area called the Trap?

The Trap is an automated underfloor area that allows for different stage configurations. It is unique because it can change geometries and is capable of vertical movement using lift mechanisms called Galla lifts. This feature allows for different seating and stage configurations without taking up additional space.

Q: How does the lobby of the Pearlman Performing Arts Center enhance the experience?

The lobby of the center is designed by David Rockwell and features a dramatic staircase. The ceiling of the staircase has wood ribs with integrated lighting that move in the same axis as the building, providing wayfinding and a pre-show ritual. The design of the lobby creates a sense of theater and circulation, allowing visitors to move through and see different seating areas.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Pearlman Performing Arts Center is located next to the 9/11 memorial and features a marble facade that glows with an orange Amber glow in the evenings.

• The building has a unique design with an auditorium configuration that can combine to create 10 different proportions and over 62 stage and audience configurations.

• The center includes movable balconies, acoustic Guillotine walls, and an automated underfloor area called the Trap for different stage configurations.