Dee and Charles Wyly Theater, AT&T Performing Arts Center / 2009

ArchitectRE X / OMA - Office for Metropolitan Architecture

Executive ArchitectKendall Heaton Associates

Structural EngineerMagnusson Klemencic Associates

Services EngineersCosentini Associates / Transsolar Energietechnik GmbH

ContractorMcCarthy Construction Co.

Façade ContractorTISI Estructuras Metalicas

This theater is among the most innovative and versatile performance spaces in the country and is renowned for its highly re-configurable Potter Rose Performance Hall, which can be arranged in thrust, proscenium or flat floor configurations. This performance hall resides at the ground level with additional black box theater spaces provided above and below. In total, the building provides approximately 80,300 ft2 (7,700 m2) of multi-form theater space and is shrouded in an iconic rain screen façade, composed of custom aluminum extrusions.

Front collaborated on all aspects of the enclosure systems beginning in schematic design and continuing through construction administration, including the aluminum rain screen, operable glass walls, and the lobby and upper floor glazing systems. The aluminum extrusion system was designed to meet deflection criteria without the need of a subframe. Instead, the extrusions are self-supporting and are simply tied back to horizontal rails every 16 ft (4.9 m).  Additionally, Front designed and engineered the 27 ft (8.2 m) tall operable glass wall, surrounding the ground level stage, which allows the performance space to spill into the outdoors. This façade consists of 5 ft (1.5 m) wide fixed glass panels and 10 ft (3 m) wide pivoting doors, which are composed of two 5 ft (1.5 m) wide glass panels each. This system controls light and sound transmission into the space, integrating motorized black-out shades and meeting STC 50 to limit sound pollution during performances.