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Phillips Academy

George Washington Hall

SIZE OWNER
67,000 square feet Phillips Academy
CONTRACT TYPE ARCHITECT
Construction Manager-at-Risk Ennead Architects LLP (formerly
Polshek Partnership Architects)

PROJECT DETAILS
To accommodate an expanded program, the existing auditorium was • Th e 70-year old building required new
completely redesigned and rebuilt as a 400 - 450 seat theatre with a electrical, HVAC, sprinkler and plumbing
variable form suitable for drama and dance. Th e newer addition - roughly systems as well as the addition of a new
elevator in order to bring it up to current code
two-thirds the size of the original building - houses a scene shop, dressing standards.
rooms, and a 150-seat studio theatre which is extensively used by the
• Th e new stage was designed to work in
drama and dance departments for experimental productions.
proscenium, thrust, or arena formats.
• At the start of the project the entire interior,
including the balconies, was gutted. Using
only the remaining shell, a 450-seat
complex was constructed featuring the
most sophisticated lighting and acoustical
systems available.
• A 46,000 square foot addition houses a
complementary facility which includes a
drama lab, scenery shop and student lounge.
• Th e addition to the performing arts facilities
at the prestigious New England preparatory
school provides both expanded and renovated
space to house an impressive and active
drama program competitive with that of
many colleges and universities.