Rounding out the cultural offerings in the recently christened Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District is the new Cultural Arts Center on the Takoma Park, Md., campus of Montgomery College. Completed in June 2009, the center was designed by architect Bettina Neudert-Brown of SmithGroup, Washington, D.C. The venue draws patrons from the college and surrounding community for a wide variety of cultural events, ranging from professional performances and regional theater groups to events held by local community organizations.
The facility houses an intimate, 100-seat theater that is used by the college’s Communications and Performing Arts department for performances and as a classroom space for theater, film, dance and speech classes. But the centerpiece of the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center is a state-of-the-art, 500-seat theater. Its interior space features two innovative metal systems: vertical stainless steel mesh panels that serve as room dividers, and a metal ceiling system with acoustic and aesthetic applications. These unique design elements established the new arts center as winner of the “Interiors” category in this year’s metalmag Architectural Awards.
Defining the Space
Soaring vertical mesh metal fabric panels featuring a large-scale, flexible, open-weave scale pattern separate the main theater’s banks of seating from the exterior aisles. The metal panels’ clean lines give the space a contemporary look while maintaining acoustics and allowing ample airflow. They also serve to make the space feel more intimate, delineating the performance space within the larger arts center.
In addition to the metal wall panels, a flat, tensioned, woven metal ceiling system extends more than 50 feet in length above the main theater space. The ceiling system reflects available light and further highlights the performance space’s distinctive modern appearance.
“I was amazed by [Cambridge Architectural’s] ability to install the metal fabric ceiling in tension,” says Adrian Vaughn, senior project manager for Bovis Lend Lease, the general contractor and metal installer for the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center project. “I have been in the industry for 20 years, and I’ve never seen anything like it. The material is a perfect example of fine craftsmanship. Its placement, in combination with how it is highlighted by architectural lighting, creates a beautiful, innovative interior design element.”
The judges appreciated the use of metal panels to define the performance space and provide unique contemporary design elements. Judge Ron van der Veen, AIA, principal at Seattle-based Mithun, commented, “I really like the creative use of the scrim to subtly identify zones in the theater. With dramatic lighting, these scrims add to the whimsical atmosphere of the theater.”
The Cultural Arts Center provides a much-needed venue for the performing arts in the Silver Spring/Takoma Park region and already has established itself as a community gathering place. Partnerships between Montgomery College and area performing arts groups broaden the center’s variety of music, dance and theater offerings.
Heidi Moore writes about architecture, design and green living from Chicago.