AT&T Performing Arts Center, Winspear Opera House

Dallas, Texas, USA

Nigel Young/Foster + Partners

When planning the Winspear Opera House, we imagined an American opera house designed for the needs of 21st century modern performance but inspired by the traditional European horseshoe form. Since it opened its doors, the iconic venue has become the focal point of the Dallas Arts District.

23,500

building footprint (in m2)

320

LED rods in the retractable auditorium chandelier

seating levels

The 200,000-square-foot facility features both an intimate, 2,200-seat performance space as well as stunning, transparent public areas. The venue was programmed and equipped with robust customized performance equipment in order to host a diverse assortment of community arts and touring groups in addition to opera. Our careful planning and technical design allowed the building’s users to easily accommodate these additional events—making Dallas a premier destination for the performing arts and the people who enjoy them.

Iwan Baan

owner:

Dallas Center for the Performing Arts

architect:

Foster and Partners | Kendall/Heaton Associates

acoustician:

Sound Space Design

users:

The Dallas Opera, Texas Ballet Theater, touring Broadway productions, and local and regional arts organizations

spaces:

2,200-seat opera house

construction type:

New construction

theatre type:

Auditorium design/seating, Concept design, Feasibility & needs assessments, Master & comprehensive plans, Multipurpose theatres, Program development

services:

Comprehensive planning, needs assessment, site and architect selection, programming, concept design, theatre planning, theatre equipment design and specification

completion:

2009

Iwan Baan