Archimania

Hattiloo Theatre

Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography

Hattiloo Theatre

Archimania

ARCHITECTS
Archimania

INTERIOR DESIGN
Archimania

CONSULTANTS
Self Tucker Architects, Ssr, Jaffe Holden Acoustics, Schuler Shook, Aye Leigh Projects

OWNER
Hattiloo Theatre

PHOTOGRAPHS
Hank Mardukas Photography

AREA
11041 Ft²

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Memphis, United States

CATEGORY
Theater

Text description provided by architect.

Program Statement: The first black repertory theatre in Memphis relocated from their start-up space to an existing parking lot in an urban entertainment district currently undergoing a resurgence.

Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography
Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography

The new building allows the region’s only black repertory theatre to have its own identity and establish a presence on the corner of a main artery into the district.

The new theatre had a modest budget for a modern day theatre based on other precedents and case studies.

Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography
Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography

Knowing there was a tight budget, we formulated an early strategy with two goals: 1. Define components that were permanent and components that could be added over time based on continued fundraising and profit and 2. Keep it simple.

The building is divided into two main programmatic volumes; the performance volume, which features two black box theatres and supporting spaces, and an administration volume.

Conceived as windowless boxes, the two theatres occupy the northern edge of the site, abutting a neighboring parking lot. The irregular massing is reflective of the required internal volume, yet both boxes are clad in a shingled siding that lends continuity and texture to an otherwise blank façade.

Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography
Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography

The lower volume houses the entry lobby, ticketing and administrative spaces and presents a welcoming pedestrian scale along the southern edge of the secondary street (Monroe Avenue).

Cor-Ten cladding was used for its ability to weather and oxidize over time and add to the unique character of the entertainment district while adding a distinct permanence to the building.

Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography
Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography
Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography


Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography
Hattiloo Theatre
© Hank Mardukas Photography


Hattiloo Theatre
Site Plan
Hattiloo Theatre
Floor Plan
Hattiloo Theatre
Diagram

Archimania
T +1 901 5273560
Archimania
663 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, United States