Wire Mesh Steals the Show at Roosevelt High School Theater
- August 17, 2020
- 4 min
The Hole Challenge
In Seattle, a high school's acclaimed performing arts program was looking for a theater to match. Subsequently, Roosevelt High School enlisted Bassetti Architecture to help them build an auditorium to support student performances with high production value. In this new space, planners created an elegant environment despite the large number of technical equipment present. The challenge was to stylishly conceal the audio and lighting fixtures while preserving function and quality for each act.
The Hole Solution
Shortly, they found their answers by choosing McNICHOLS® Wire Mesh in a woven, 18 x 18 Mesh with a 0.017" thick (27-1/4 Gauge) wire diameter. They fashioned the material into screens to cover can lights, catwalks, speakers, and other theater equipment. These Wire Mesh specifications maintained the proper light diffusion and sound redistribution to the stage and audience. In either case, the speakers and spotlights would still operate at their peak capacity, despite their smart disguise!
This disguise needed to fit in with some sensational design goals. The vision for the theater was to mimic the school’s original 1920s architecture. For the Wire Mesh coverings, the team chose a shimmering bronze color to add the right level of dramatic flair. The material’s flexible characteristics allowed them to orient the screens in a volute, or scroll-like, shape that played on neoclassical style. These final gilded structures then lined the auditorium's interior and established an ornate, electrifying ambiance.
Being pliable, lightweight and transparent, the Wire Mesh was easy to shape, mount, and suspend during installation. Completed in 2006, the mesh screens now enhance acoustics, lighting, safety, comfort, and aesthetics throughout the 750-seat auditorium. The state-of-the-art theater now sets the scene for thrilling performances and is enjoyed by actors and audiences alike!
If you are interested in learning more about this project or others, contact us at 855.318.8791, [email protected], or via Live Chat on mcnichols.com.