Bass Concert Hall Renovations

From Urban Austin

The University of Texas at Austin has finally begun its long-anticipated, $15 million renovation to its acclaimed, 3,000-seat Bass Concert Hall. Originally completed in 1981, the flagship member of the University’s nine-theatre performing arts complex, has anxiously awaited the overdo upgrade to facility.

In 2003, the University hired BOORA Architects to design a major renovation and addition to one of the largest stages in the country, one that would not only correct its code violations but also give the building an architectural identity that communicates its function as a significant cultural venue. The design will make Bass a glowing beacon for the arts on campus, expanding the building's five-floor lobby by removing the building's brick main façade and replacing it with a light and transparent steel and glass addition. Increased area in the lobby will augment the facility's ability to accommodate large campus gatherings and receptions. Renovations will include updated finishes, improved restrooms, a sprinkler system, a lobby smoke evacuation system, and safe exiting opportunities in enclosed stairways. Improvements to the audience chamber will include new seating, new flooring, improved stage and house lighting, an open ceiling to accommodate new adjustable acoustical curtains, and fresh sidewalls. New stage cheek walls and a forestage canopy will improve sound projection while a new forestage grid will improve lighting flexibility. These improvements will create a more accommodating acoustical environment for touring productions and allow the campus to offer audiences more diverse programming.

The renovations and addition have been planned for concurrent completion, minimizing interruptions to the building's operations and costly duplications of work.

*Information taken from BOORA Architects website.

[edit] Statistics

Status:	Under Construction
Floors:	N/A
Height:	N/A
Square footage:	N/A
Start:	May 2007
Finish:	Late 2008 ("Grand Re-opening" January 2009)
Developers:	University of Texas at Austin