ISSUE: 01
Welcome to “Building Together”, Wenger’s newsletter designed to support your expertise as architects in shaping exceptional spaces for music education, performing arts and athletics – whether new construction or renovation. For nearly 80 years, Wenger has collaborated closely with architects, sharing our passion on diverse and exciting projects that enrich lives by enabling and inspiring great performances.
Each issue will highlight an interesting project, downloadable resources, notable product and select industry news. We’re committed to helping bring your vision to life!
PROJECT
PROFILE
The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts,
Beaverton, Oregon
The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts (The Reser) in Beaverton, Oregon, marked a significant addition to the region’s cultural landscape when it opened in 2022. Designed by Opsis Architecture with The Shalleck Collaborative (The SC) as theatre and audiovisual consultants, this 45,000-squarefoot multidisciplinary arts center built by Skanska features a 550-seat proscenium theatre inspired by the natural environment. The theatre’s interior, with its back-lit wood paneling and vivid blue seating, evokes the warmth of a beaver’s home and the serene beauty of a pond, providing both aesthetic appeal and world-class acoustics.
The Reser is a versatile venue for a wide range of performances, from orchestral concerts to theatrical productions. Because of the demand for flexible acoustics in such a multi-use space, The SC chose to outfit The Reser with a Wenger custom Diva Shell.
“Our decision to use the Diva shell as a basis for design was made early due to the Diva’s ability for customization,” says Jedd de Lucia, ASTC, principal with The SC. “The design team always wanted the acoustical shell to be a seamless and integral part of the building’s architecture.”
When in performance position, the shell continues and completes the visual story of the natural beaver environment that begins in the town of Beaverton and accompanies the audience as they enter the lobby and move into the auditorium. The shell towers and ceiling panels feature the same visual language of patterns and wood finishes sourced from the same mill as The Reser’s interior. In storage position, such as during theatrical performances, the towers can nest compactly backstage and the ceiling panels can be pivoted and raised into the fly loft.
The realization of The Reser was a community-driven effort, with significant contributions from local government, the Beaverton Arts Foundation, and over 1,000 individual donors. This collaborative project reflects the community’s long-held desire for a regional arts destination and stands as a testament to what can be achieved through shared vision and dedication.
DOWNLOADABLE
RESOURCE
The new Rigging Guide for Performance Spaces
Wenger Corporation proudly announces the availability of its latest educational resource, the Rigging Guide for Performance Spaces. This free, comprehensive 32-page guide will help enhance the knowledge and skills of individuals involved in theatre rigging projects, from beginners to advanced professionals. This includes theatre educators and other planning team members including architect, acoustician and theatrical consultant.
The guide is organized to cater to readers with varying levels of rigging experience, with information easily accessible:
- Introductory overview of the planning process for a new theatre, describing the typical project timeline and planning team members.
- Beginner section summarizing six common theatre types, typical line set breakouts and an overview of rigging’s uses.
- Advanced information outlines the four basic types of rigging – with comparison chart – and includes instructive photos and illustrations. Different hoist types are described, along with rigging control systems and safety guidelines, including fire safety curtains.
- Appendix includes a glossary of key terms with detailed illustrations and photos, along with recommended mounting dimensions.
“Our J.R. Clancy brand has been a pioneer in theatre rigging since 1885,” said Dave Thomas, President and CEO of Wenger Corporation. “Our Rigging Guide can assist design professionals and end users by providing foundational knowledge and a common vocabulary, enabling all team members to collaborate more effectively. With our extensive experience and dedication to advancing the industry, we are excited to offer this updated resource.”
Along with this new Rigging Guide, Wenger produces a number of other free educational resources for planning school music facilities, performance spaces and athletic storage facilities. On the topic of acoustics, Wenger also offers its Acoustics Primer for Music Spaces and Acoustics Problems and Solutions guides. To download any of these resources, please click here.
IN THE
FIELD
Trending topics for architects
Performing Arts Venue Trends
The construction of performing arts venues remains a robust sector across the U.S.
A focus on acoustical and programming flexibility, multifunctional spaces and cultural connections is shaping both renovations and new construction for concert halls and community theaters. Recent high-profile projects include Colburn School’s major expansion in Los Angeles, designed by Frank Gehry, and the restoration of historic venues such as the Brooklyn Paramount Theater. According to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), arts and cultural industries contributed 4.3 percent of the U.S. GDP (gross domestic product) in 2022, growing by 4.8 percent from 2021. (Read more from the NEA.)
Phased Modernizations in K-12 Education
Renovating occupied schools requires careful planning, with phased modernizations emerging as a common approach. Schools like Lawrence High School in Kansas have undergone extensive multi-phase renovations, addressing aging infrastructure while modernizing learning spaces, including technology upgrades and improved performance venues. This approach is ideally suited for schools that must remain operational during construction. (Read more in School Construction News.)
