The ENR Texas & Louisiana Best Regional Projects ceremony took place in Houston on October 19, and the Alley Theatre took home the regional Best Project award in the Cultural/Worship category, as well as an Award of Merit for Excellence in Safety. Studio RED principal Jared Wood and associate architect Gwyndolyn Mowbray were on hand to accept the 2016 distinction that honored the best construction projects and the companies that designed and built them.
The Alley is one of Houston’s most significant cultural and architectural landmarks, and the Studio RED team worked hard to transform the theater from top to bottom.
“It was an honor to attend the ENR Texas & Louisiana Best Regional Projects ceremony and see The Alley recognized,” says Wood. “This project was truly a team effort, and it’s exciting to see that teamwork paid off.”
Studio RED takes pride in helping to bring life back to the Alley and renovating it so the area can enjoy many more years of entertainment. The renovations doubled the size of the Hubbard Theatre stage, removed viewing obstructions and added a large six-story fly loft. Additional improvements include a fully-trapped stage, an automated grid rigging system, new lighting and sound systems, as well as improved seating and better access for patrons. The redesigned stage provides a more intimate theatrical experience, with 61 percent of the seats in the first eleven rows. The new seating arrangement offers greater comfort and greatly improved access for patrons, including those with disabilities. For the actors, there are new dressing rooms, rehearsal and warm-up rooms, as well as a spacious green room.
The renovation has also transformed the patron experience: public spaces have been reconfigured to offer additional handicapped access, expanded restroom facilities and other amenities, including a new bar with a dramatic skyline view, a donor lounge, catering spaces and multi-purpose event rooms. Productions can now be loaded and unloaded more efficiently, enabling the Alley to extend the runs of popular shows and perform year-round.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Studio Red Architects was founded in 2004 because of a desire to create an architecture firm that was different and better. The company is dedicated to creating innovative designs that can be built within budget, providing hands-on principal involvement throughout the entire process and remaining a client-driven company rather than ego-driven. Studio Red Architects is a nationally-recognized award-winning firm and was named the 2015 AIA
