has been named the theatre planning consultants of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – Education and Rehearsal Buildings. These two privately funded facilities will be constructed in association with an eight-acre, $400 million plaza design project intended to connect the Kennedy Center to the National Mall, the memorial center of Washington D.C.
The two buildings will house the Kennedy Center’s education programs and provide interactive exhibitions highlighting the performing arts in America, while also providing expanded rehearsal and office space for the Center and the Washington Opera. New York’s Rafael Viñoly Architects is the project architect and Connecticut-based Akustiks will act as acoustical consultant.
The facilities are scheduled to open in 2012. Schuler Shook will work on the planning and equipment systems design for the Orientation Theatre and Auditorium in the Education Building. The company will also be heavily involved in the planning and in the design of equipment systems for the rehearsal and production areas in the Rehearsal Building, which includes five rehearsal spaces, costume and property shops, dressing rooms, office and production support spaces.
Duane Schuler is the project’s Design Principal and Robert Shook the Principal in Charge. Todd Hensley is the Principal Project Manager, with Jeffrey Childs as Project Consultant and Lisa Bernacchi as Theatre Specialist.
Robert Shook states, "We are honored to be working with the Kennedy Center on such a unique project, which will showcase the performing arts to the public and provide much-needed office and creative space for the Kennedy Center and the Washington Opera."