ISSUE: 03
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.
PROJECT
PROFILE
The SHED at Rochester Institute of Technology,
Rochester, NY
The Sklarsky Glass Box Theater needed a unique acoustical solution
Rochester Institute of Technology has officially opened the Student Hall for Exploration and Development (SHED). It is RIT’s largest project since the Henrietta campus opening in 1968. Construction on the building began in summer of 2020 and the building officially opened for students and faculty on August 28th, 2023.
The $120 million building project features over 120,000 square feet of new construction with 27 classrooms, natural outdoor spaces, performing arts studios, the renovated Wallace Library, and the Sklarsky Glass Box Theater, named by RIT benefactors Frank and Ruth Sklarsky.
The Sklarsky Glass Box Theater is a versatile space with retractable theater seats, blackout shades to allow for full blackbox theater capability, completely adjustable lighting, and can hold up to 220 audience members. The glass box/blackbox is both used as a theater and a gallery space with multi-level seating and performance options.
The SHED prides itself on being a versatile space; various technologies have been integrated to promote the best possible experience in each venue. The Glass Box theater, though visually stunning, posed acoustical challenges for some performances due to the majority of the walls being completely made of glass. To remedy this, the theater features 27 of Wenger’s TransformTM Motorized Acoustical Banners to adjust the acoustics in the room to better support the performance. For example, the banners can be fully deployed to reduce loudness and improve clarity of sound during rock and amplified performances.
“We support a wide variety of performances in the theater, everything from classical, to rock, to musical theater, so having the ability to dampen the acoustics is very helpful”, says Josh Labman, the Technical Operations Manager of the hall.
There are approximately 70 different student teams and clubs meeting in the building along with different classes and study spaces. With the use of various state-of-the-art technologies, Rochester Institute of Technology has created a versatile space to support its students and created many different opportunities for performers and artists alike.
PRODUCT
HIGHLIGHT
A revolutionary rigging solution especially for high school and university theatres
A Higher Standard: New Summit Theatron™ Hoist Delivers Peak Performance
OWATONNA, MN (June 2, 2025) – Wenger Corporation, a leading provider of innovative products and solutions for the performing arts and music education, is proud to introduce its new Summit Theatron™ hoist, a revolutionary rigging solution especially for high school theatres, university theatres and worship venues.
With smart innovations that improve both performance and safety, installation options that offer greater adaptability and an inspection-friendly design, the new Summit Theatron hoist simplifies rigging costeffectively for dealers, specifiers and end users without compromising on quality.
“For 140 years, J.R. Clancy has led the industry in rigging innovation, driven to create solutions that elevate the performing arts safely,” says Dave Thomas, President and CEO of Wenger Corporation. “This new Summit hoist proudly continues our tradition of excellence in listening to our customers.”
Precise Performance. The Summit hoist charts a new path in rigging technology. It’s available in low- and high-speed models: 2,200-lb. (998 kg) capacity at 30 fpm (0.15 m/s) for stage electrics and acoustical shells; and 1,500-lb. (680 kg) capacity at 205 fpm (1.0 m/s) to match the pace and performance of manual rigging. Variable Frequency Drive ensures smooth starts and stops, helping protect sensitive and expensive sets, lighting and acoustical shells.
Flexible Installation. For easier, faster installation in a wide range of performance spaces, the Summit hoist features a patent-pending backbone – separate from the motor head – that enables variable mounting options. Typical 8-inch (203 mm) set spacing is possible by alternating hoists between both sides of the stage or by offsetting hoists on one side of the stage.
Hassle-Free Inspection. Routine inspections and maintenance are simplified by the Summit hoist’s open-frame design with multiple access panels. Technicians can easily inspect the gearbox and drum, reducing downtime and ensuring optimal, safe performance.
IN THE
FIELD
Trending topics for architects
K-12 Education Architecture
Turning a sloped property into opportunity
This kindergarten is in the northern part of Japan, namely Fukahori Town of Nagasaki prefecture, a coastal town with a long history of fishing and shipbuilding. Its trace of history still lingers in the streets. The region is full of slopes, and houses are built tightly along roads. These attributes shape the quaint atmosphere of the narrow alleyways. This project intends to bring the way Fukahori has coexisted with the land into the daily lives of children. (Read more in Arch Daily.)
Restoration
David Chipperfield Architects is breathing new life into one of Italy’s ancient treasures, the Roman Theater in Brescia.
The preliminary design for the architectural restoration and functional redevelopment of the Roman Theatre was presented on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Auditorium of the Santa Giulia Museum in Brescia. The project was developed by the Milan office of David Chipperfield Architects, commissioned by the Fondazione Brescia Musei in collaboration with the Municipality of Brescia and the Brescia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Handicraft, and Agriculture. Chipperfield was tasked with identifying the essential architectural elements to guide future design phases, leading to the drafting of the Technical-Economic Feasibility Project (PFTE) and the final project, including the necessary authorizations. This initiative is financially supported by the Italian Chamber of Commerce under a 2019 ministerial decree prioritizing cultural heritage, especially where it enhances tourism. (Read more in Arch Daily.)
