The Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex opened in 1979 as one of the original components of the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The building contains four theatres, ranging in capacity from 150 to 700 seats, with a central lobby serving all four. Over its initial 30 years of use, several functional and aesthetic challenges became apparent:
• The flow of patrons from initial arrival to the performance was not efficient or apparent.
• The lobby did not provide enough seating areas.
• The overall appearance and ambiance of the space was dated and cluttered.
• The lobby was unwelcoming with exposed concrete, painted steel and mirrored glass.
The design went beyond a simple “interior update” it re-position the entire audience experience.
• The ticketing office was relocated to the perimeter of the lobby.
• The café space was formalized, with a dedicated seating area that is visible from the galleria. This location creates an active “people watching” area that humanizes the building.
• Patron seating throughout the lobby was increased, featuring upholstered seating that matches the clean, modern lines of the architecture.
The entire space was “de-cluttered” to accentuate the dramatic volume and inherent scale of the space. The lighting of the space was re-conceptualized to include custom-designed chandeliers. They are staggered to generate visual interest and emphasize the space’s architectural drama.
The major challenge of “warming up” an unwelcoming space was met with several subtle design treatments, including replacing carpeting with a carpet that features a large-scale pattern giving energy to the ground place of the space. The primary patron services spaces utilize materials that communicate warmth and quality.
The design honors the original architecture by accentuating the elegant simplicity of the space. The functionality of the space has been significantly enhanced and the visual quality of the space elevated dramatically.
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