Washington, DC
History, if left forgotten, can fall perilously to the wayside. Such was the fate of the Washington, D.C. landmark Atlas Theater Cinema until a foundation sought to transform the former 1930’s movie house and adjoining vacant storefronts into a new, state-of-the-art 58,000-square-foot performing arts facility. The architect combined five structures through a four-year, extensive adaptive reuse and renovation that carefully preserved key historical elements and brought new life to the street front of a once bleak and neglected corridor.
A complex program called for two state-of-the-art theaters, including a 280-fixed-seat space and a 250-person flexible-seat black box, each with computerized lighting and sound equipment control rooms. Additionally, the foundation wanted three dance studios, two lab theaters, a production shop and administrative support spaces, all within the original site footprint and an extremely tight construction budget of $20 million.
Throughout the main level public space, materials, color, balance, scale, texture, and pattern are blended to create welcoming, comfortable, contemporary, and vibrant spaces. Cost effective, durable, and interesting products such as carved MDF wall treatments and architectural mesh is utilized for impact, ease of maintenance, and harmony between the existing and new finishes. Lighting design was orchestrated to highlight the architectural and interior design elements, and unique sculptural shadow signage for the two large theater spaces adds drama and distinction to guide patrons through the space.
At every turn, history and contemporary design meld to create visual interest. A former exterior alleyway brick wall was integrated as the interior wall in the promenade; the basement and office spaces are configured around exposed concrete footings with evidence of excavation. Original air return grilles from the movie house were painstakingly restored and mounted in the promenade hall, in contrast to the contemporary finishes and sweeping curves of the ceiling overhead.
Today, the H Street corridor is more often referred to as the “Atlas Arts District.”
