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Originally built in 1929, the Geffen Playhouse underwent a $17
million dollar renovation of its historic original building which
included the design of a brand new 3-story building inclusive of
the 120-seat Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater.
“It was pretty scary before”, says Dan Ionazzi, the
production manager at the Geffen Playhouse, “The building
was barley functional, there was no handicap accessibility, inadequate
power to support performance lighting and audio/visual equipment,
few dressing rooms, and barely any wing space.”
Tasked with the challenge of working within an existing site and
property lines, Syska Hennessy Group partnered with the client and
project team to design solutions that brought new life to the historic
facility. Syska team members worked closely with the end users of
the facility to understand their needs and challenges to develop
an integrated solution for the client.
Design Goals Accomplished:
- Integration of building systems and security services provided
under a single contract; IT services were coordinated by Syska
team members.
- Preservation of the romantic charm and intimacy of the original
facility.
- Renovation and addition to the playhouse that provide a ‘state
of the art’ environment for both actors and patrons.
- Updated safety and code compliances.
- Design of back of the house support areas that maintain a live
performing art theater of the 21st century.
Winner of the following 2006 Awards:
Prestige Award for Electrical Excellence
Los Angeles County Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors
Association
Annual Preservation Award
Los Angeles Conservancy
Preservation Award
Los Angeles Business Council
Award of Excellence
Society of American Registered Architects/California Design Award
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