ARCHITECTURE LEADERS TODAY T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C A P TA I N S O F I N D U S T R Y www.architectureleaderstoday.com
Big Apple Bites JCJ ARCHITECTURE
This firm is putting their stamp on the Manhattan skyline with landmark projects in the Empire State Building and the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.
northeast | entertainment
2 Architecture Leaders Today
entertainment | northeast
IN THE
SP TLIGHT JCJ Architecture celebrates 75 years in the business with high-profile projects that range from projects that are rich in history to projects that make history. Text by Paige L. Hill Photos by Elliott Kaufman Photography (Koch Theater & Empire State Building) Photo by Jim Christy Studio (Wild Horse Pass) November/December 2011 3
northeast | entertainment
W
hen the world famous New York City Ballet and the New York City Opera asks for their performance space to be remodeled, only an architecture firm boasting 75 years of experience could possibly fit the bill – like JCJ Architecture. And that space, the New York State Theater at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, needed more than just a fresh coat of paint. With the eyes of the New York arts community and major donor, David H. Koch, watching, JCJ took on the first renovation of the Philip Johnson Theater since its opening in 1964. At its reopening for the 2009/2010 season, the Manhattan public and arts community alike laid accolades on JCJ for the elaborate renovation; George Steel, general manager and artistic director of the New York Opera, said to The New York Times that it was “the best theater in New York.” “We knew we were dealing with an iconic New York City landmark and that there would be unique pressures given the two major artistic institutions the theater serves,” James LaPosta, Jr. said, principal and chief architectural officer of JCJ. The Ballet Company asked for an acoustic plan that highlighted the orchestra and downplayed the sound of movement on stage, while the opera company required an acoustic plan that would enhance the vocal performance from the stage over that of the orchestra. “We were tasked with bringing a mid-century building up to modern standards, maintaining the emblematic image, and making sure the acoustics were right. We embraced this as a unique opportunity,” LaPosta said. “We found a solution that satisfied everyone. Bringing creative and technical minds together to resolve issues is part of who we are as a firm and as design professionals. We knew that taking on the project would mean a lot of listening, since so many people had so much at stake in the renovation. One of our most important objectives was to make the patron experience more enjoyable and to make sure our work remained nearly invisible.” But, it wasn’t an option for the firm to modify the theater in a dramatic way. The theater had looked at schemes for renovation over the years; JCJ’s plan was the first that maintained the integrity of the Philip Johnson design but brought the seating up to contemporary standards. In addition to the auditorium, the lobby, dubbed “the promenade,” received a thorough cleaning. The ornate gold ceiling was restored and the granite floors were refurbished; the entire media and broadcast system received modern upgrades. As for winning the prestigious project, LaPosta credits JCJ’s New York office, opened in 2006. The team, located in the Empire State Building, has an especially strong background in theater and entertainment venues. In researching the project, the architecture team took the Director of the New York City Opera on a tour of historic and modern opera houses throughout Europe. “This is common in our practice; touring similar facilities provides both the client and our team the opportunity to see how things were done before and what should be avoided,” LaPosta said. The New York team picked up another prominent project when they won the chance to renovate the iconic Empire State Building’s visitor center experience. Upgrading the patron experience means that JCJ has worked with the building owners and tenants since 2002, doing everything from the renovation of observatory areas on the 102nd, 86th and 80th floors, to the ticketing and welcome area on the second floor. Today, the New York office is complemented by offices in Hartford, Conn.; Boston, Mass.; Phoenix, Ariz. and San Diego, Calif. “We wanted a presence on the West Coast for some time, so in the last few years we’ve made growing in that direction a priority,” said Peter Stevens, principal and president of JCJ. The Phoenix and San Diego offices recently completed the four-diamond Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino located on a 90-acre site in the Gila River Indian Community 4 Architecture Leaders Today
entertainment | northeast
PREVIOUS PAGE: David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. New York, N.Y. OPPOSITE, TOP: Empire State Building. New York, N.Y. The hallway leading to the queing area. THIS PAGE: David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York, N.Y. View from stage left.
November/December 2011 5
northeast | entertainment
ABOVE, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Chandler, Ariz. The impressive view from the mezzanine through to the gaming floor and the center bar beyond. Peter Stevens, LEED AP, principal and president of JCJ. Jim LaPosta, AIA, LEED AP, principal and chief architectural officer of JCJ. Portraits courtesy of JCJ Architecture
6 Architecture Leaders Today
outside of Phoenix, alongside Interstate 10. “The community had some very specific design criteria for this development zone, but when we met with the tribal leaders, we were able to discuss the merits of expanding them a bit,” Stevens said. The original standards called for a building no taller than four stories so that it could not be seen from other parts of the reservation; however, the completed casino and hotel stands ten stories tall, with over 400,000 sq. ft. of luxury living and entertainment space. It is lauded as the first “Vegas-style” facility in the state, and has netted numerous awards for its design and operations since its opening in late 2009. “We found common ground in the idea that it would be better to build vertically and therefore take up less of the natural desert environment,” Stevens said. “We understand the value of being clearly visible from the busy highway and how to use that prominence to forward the Tribe’s vision. We successfully incorporated cultural aspects into the design, while still creating an exciting and high energy environment.” That $172 million design includes a nightclub and several lounges, a 1,400-seat theater/concert venue, Shula’s steakhouse restaurant, 242 luxury hotel rooms and suites, the 100,000 sq. ft. gaming floor with over 1,000 slot machines, five blackjack pits, 48 table games and a separate 24-table poker room, along with sports bar and lounge on the gaming floor. The two-story lobby welcomes guests with an oversized crystal waterfall chandelier and a sculpture of a rearing stallion, which opens into the casino. The building is painted a deep burnt orange like the color of the desert floor and is accented in metallic trim that mirrors the bright sun overhead; feature elements depict the water of the local Gila River, which is of great significance to the tribe. “Whether we are designing a project that celebrates cultural history, working on the Empire State Building or designing a new building to fit within an historically sensitive district, we bring a flexible and responsive approach that has allowed us to work with great clients on amazing projects,” Stevens said, who has been with JCJ for 23 years. “I’d like to think that reaching our 75th year is a testimony to our ability to adapt to an ever-changing world.” The 75th anniversary will be a yearlong celebration for the firm, according to Stevens, but the usual cake and champagne won’t do for a firm with “design that builds community” as its mission. Each office is taking on a local project that will give back to the community – the San Diego and Hartford offices have already teamed with Habitat for Humanity to build housing for low income residents in the area. Giving is nothing new for the firm; for their 70th anniversary, JCJ set up a fund through the Hartford Foundation of Public Giving to give grants to various social and cultural projects in need of support. “The quality of our design and our technical capabilities have always been there, but only in the past decade or so have we really pushed our boundaries in preparing for the future,” Stevens said. “We are unique in that we have been very successful in balancing the art and business of design. We’re fortunate that we are in the position to grow as a firm while also supporting efforts that will make our global community stronger.” ALT
entertainment | northeast
PENNONI ASSOCIATES pennoni.com
Multi-disciplined engineering and design consulting firm Pennoni Engineering and Surveying of New York provides architects needing MEP services with highly experienced electrical and mechanical engineers and designers, including LEED Accredited Professionals and certified energy managers. Pennoni begins each project by conducting studies to identify optimal systems to address the client's needs. “Our goal is to be part of the architect’s success in achieving the client’s vision by building a level of confidence for long-term relationships,” said Fred Lindquist, P.E., vice president at Pennoni, who was excited to team with JCJ Architects for the renovation of the David H. Koch Theater. Pennoni’s responsibilities included mechanical and electrical support for expanding the existing orchestra pit, installing a motorized lift system to raise and lower the orchestra pit in two separate sections, replacing the existing theatrical dimming system, and adding a video production center. Additionally, Pennoni improved the humidity control for costume storage areas and installed a pre-action sprinkler and chemical fire suppression system for the video production area. This multi-phase project was designed to allow work to take place outside of the performance window for the Nutcracker. “We appreciate JCJ’s confidence to engage Pennoni for past and current projects and look forward to extending that relationship in the future,” Lindquist said. In addition to MEP services, Pennoni can assist architects using a single client coordinator to provide a wide range of engineering services including environment, landscape architecture, planning, site design, structure, and surveying.
FIGARO SYSTEMS figaro-systems.com Figaro Systems specializes in individual text and content delivery systems developed through superior engineering and robust design for an individualized, in-depth theater experience. Figaro is well known for its innovative Simultext Seatback System, which is the most sophisticated, visionary seatback system available today. A discreet viewing monitor at each individual seat is activated with a single button and text appears in any written language in the world. Monitors feature a completely black background for optimal viewing and minimum distraction—absolutely no ambient glow. JCJ Architecture chose to work with Figaro for the David H. Koch Theater at the Lincoln Center in New York, N.Y. They also took advantage of cost savings by integrating the Simultext Seatback System installation simultaneously with the construction of the theater. The team at Figaro delivered a seamless installation of the complex infrastructure during the renovation with minimal disturbance to the auditorium.
DIVERSIFIED TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS teamDTC.com
Diversified Technology Consultants is a full-service engineering firm with additional specialty services in planning, sustainability, environmental compliance and permitting. DTC has worked with JCJ for 15 years and together, they have contributed to over $500 million-worth of projects. Over 35 of these projects have been in the education sector, ranging from preschool to post-secondary. Founded in 1979, DTC has since grown to become one of Connecticut’s most innovative engineering firms.
TOP, LEFT: The Empire State Building’s second floor ticketing area. ABOVE: David H. Koch Theater, Control Room. The renovation of the theater also included a revamp of the acoustical and electrical equipment that is used to support both the New York City Ballet and the New York City Opera.
November/December 2011 7