A Community Asset Transformed
Ideally situated between Sacramento’s Capitol building and Convention Center, the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center is located in the beating heart of downtown Sacramento. Despite its perfect location, the original design of the building sat above and far back from the street – disconnected not only from pedestrian traffic but the community as a whole. Our solution replaces the formerly closed-off aspects of the building with open, inviting features and amenities to draw the community inside.
Sacramento: The City of Trees
To add transparency and connection to the street, we replaced the opaque walls with soaring glass windows that allow pedestrians to see inside while balancing energy needs. A perforated white façade wraps around the building, its unique cutouts mimicking the effect of dappled light through a tree canopy. The play with light and shadow brings Sacramento’s connection to its trees directly inside the lobby.
SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. Photo by Michael Grimm.
Before the Show
The redesigned space allows guests to mingle and greet friends before the show begins. The new lobby even allows for a new slate of diverse programming, bringing community members with a variety of talents into the performance space. New audiences are welcomed by the light and airy surroundings, which help to set everyone from first-time guests to theater regulars at ease.
SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. Photo by Michael Grimm.
A Theater for Everyone
The removal of the entire audience chamber floor and provisions of new seating and aisles throughout have transformed the venue’s interior from acoustically poor and visually confusing into an inviting, acoustically superior performance space. Important upgrades have been made to the site’s ADA accessibility. This inclusive design provides a venue for the people of Sacramento that is unique to their community and needs.
SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. Photo by Michael Grimm.
A Community Asset Transformed
Watch how the team connected the theater to its community.
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