Construction Zone: Theater Expansion

Lewis and Clark College in Godfrey, Ill., is renovating the historic Hatheway Hall Theatre Building. The $9.5 million green renovation and expansion will renovate 62,500 square feet and add 6,800 square feet.

The building, which opened in 1963, also is getting a new roof crowned with 8,600 square feet of solar panels. The solar array will supplement the building’s electrical power supply and energize its hot- water system.

The architectural highlight of the project is a new two-story, glass-enclosed lobby topped by a suspended "wave" ceiling and accompanied by a commercial kitchen. The 2,000-square-foot lobby, which features extensive stainless steel and glass finishes, leads to a renovated 1,000-seat theater auditorium, which also will be enhanced with a "wave" ceiling to improve acoustics.

"We have more than 145,000 people visit our campus annually, many of whom utilize the facility for concerts, performances and our popular swim programs," says Dale Chapman, president. "The majority of the work at Hatheway is being funded by Protection Health/Life Safety bonds. It will make the facility more community-friendly while serving as a model of sustainable practices."

AAIC, Inc. (Collinsville, Ill.) is project architect. Contegra Construction Co. (Edwardsville, Ill.) provided design/build and construction-management services.