Symphony Space

AO is working with Symphony Space to transform its beloved yet challenging historic building into a recognizable and vibrant community arts destination that reconceives how people experience culture today and fully realizes the vision of its founder Isaiah Sheffer of creating a cultural “town square”.

With extensive interior renovations throughout its three floors along with alterations to the Broadway and 95^th Street facades, our design solves crucial problems and unlocks new programmatic possibilities. The project centers on the reconfiguration of the main Sharp Theatre, open areas, and connections between floors. By separating the theatre from a large, underused space at its rear and reshaping its orchestra and balcony, we make a more intimate performance venue with optimal acoustics and sightlines while also creating a new double-height atrium open to the Broadway lobby. The new balcony gallery overlooking the atrium space provides an accessible pathway to remote areas of the building while new open stairs link open areas on all levels. New glass entry vestibule and generous windows bring natural light into the open areas on all levels and reveal the activity within Symphony Space to the surrounding neighborhood.

Interior spaces will be revived with new finish materials, millwork, lighting, digital screens, and graphics features. Both the Sharp and Thalia Theaters will be enhanced with new seating, stages, and theatrical equipment designed to support diverse programming including music, dance, drama, film, and spoken word while enhancing the overall experience for the audience and artists. New building systems will be integrated to ensure a comfortable, high-performing facility that achieves LEED Silver certification.