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Spencer Theater for
the Performing Arts
Alto, New Mexico
1994/1998
The Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts represents the convergence
of the theater of landscape and the theater of performance. The
site, which is situated in the middle of the Fort Stanton Mesa in southern
New Mexico, stands dead center between Sunset peak on the east horizon
and Sierra Blanca peak to the west, along the axis of the summer sun.
Sierra Blanca, meaning white mountain, becomes the initial locus for the
building's form and position. The white theater is a sculpted limestone
mass that has been excavated into exact relationships between light, views,
performance, and procession. The wedge-like form of the theater
suggests a monolithic piece of stone that has forced its way up from beneath
the crust of the mesa. Lodged within a fissure, and erupting from
the north flank, is a crystalline, chandelier-like shell of laminated
glass linking the vertical procession to the upper lobby and entry to
the theater house. This faceted glass entry lobby and gathering
space contrasts with and consciously subverts the mass of the body of
the building. A laminated cracked glass balustrade defines the vertical
ascent of the ceremonial stair and upper lobby edge. Laminated cracked
glass also forms pivot panels which give flexible closure to the upper
level theater club. Once on the upper level there is a reorientation
to the eastern view from an exterior gathering space. The west end
of the structure focuses on a geometric garden from a recessed exterior
stage platform. A covered drop-off zone penetrates the wedge north
to south providing an all weather entry.
http://www.spencertheater.com
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