096_105ACHowardHughes
10/21/04
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Page 100
South Coast Repertory Theatre, Costa Mesa, CA
100
I
n 1964,South Coast Repertory was
The focal point of Pelli's expansion design
fifth decade, its vision, audience and lead-
established by a band of untested
was a 336-seat proscenium stage on the
ership have given it a national standing
former theatre students launching
added land. In front of it would be the
second to none. As part of the construc-
an artistic odyssey on little more
common lobby. But behind it would be
tion team, Shaw & Sons installed the new
than raw talent and enthusiasm. Architect
three stories of offices for education and a
Harlequin front entry plaza, which con-
Cesar Pelli was enlisted for SCR's latest
Green Room, technical facilities, and four
sists of one-foot of miscellaneous crushed
expansion, which commenced in July
new classrooms. South Coast Repertory
base over four feet of structural high load
2001. Pelli designed a sweeping new
stands on three strong pillars — artistic
40 styrofoam over existing box culvert.
front for SCR, which would incorporate
vision, a dynamic audience and exemplary
Part of the plaza is constructed over
the existing building and the addition.
community leadership. SCR enters its
compacted fill.
Peter Walker and Partners, Landscape Architects • Cesar Pelli & Associates, Architects