Page 21 - Spring 2020 Digital inLEAGUE Volume 43 Number 02

Civic Theatre, Allentown, PA
auditorium after renovation © Aislinn
Wiedele | Photo courtesy Mills +
Schnoering Architects

Civic Theatre, Allentown, PA
lobby after renovation © Aislinn
Wiedele | Photo courtesy Mills +
Schnoering Architects

including cinema renovations for Civic’s nearby design team to find ways to capture and repurpose
Theatre514. existing space to accommodate Civic Theatre’s
The scope of architectural work included design for evolving needs. For example, an underutilized office
total building systems upgrades; box office, lobby, area adjacent to the lobby became a new box office
and auditorium renovations; new auditorium seating; and patron lounge. Original organ lofts transformed
restoration of historic finishes; new and upgraded into new dressing rooms and technical space.
theatrical sound and lighting systems; accessibility An auditorium control booth was repurposed for
and code improvements; a new concession area concessions.
and patron lounge; MEP system replacements and a Prior to beginning the project, Civic Theatre strategized
fully automatic fire suppression system; and selective its objectives, identified a scope of work aligned with
exterior brick and façade repairs. Significant historic its mission, and assembled a team of professionals
preservation work included repair and restoration of including an architecture firm experienced with historic
the ornate ceiling and side wall decorative plaster, theatre renovations. Additional consultants included
replication of missing lattice plaster, and refurbishment a construction manager, cost estimator, structural
of original wall sconces. Much of the original Art Deco and mechanical engineers, theatrical/acoustics
detailing remained intact and was conserved during consultant, lighting designer, materials conservator,
the project, including discovery and restoration of a and decorative paint/plaster conservator.
dramatic back-wall mural that had been hidden for The award-winning results have increased attendance
decades. and sparked greater interest in Civic Theatre’s
Careful study during the planning phase enabled the programming and community engagement.

May 2020 INLEAGUE | PAGE 19