Guthart Cultural Center Theater @ Axinn Library

Located within the East Wing of Axinn Library, the Guthart Cultural Center Theater has long served Hofstra University as a space for high profile speaker events, lectures, and intimate musical performances. As the building was constructed in 1964, an upgrade to the performance of the space & refresh of the aesthetics was desired, as well as an increase to the audience capacity. The existing theater also did not offer an ADA accessible path onto the elevated stage. The design team, working in collaboration with theatrical consultant FDA & acoustical consultant SoundArts, designed new seating, finishes, house & theatrical lighting, AV equipment, & acoustical materials to improve both the appearance and functionality of the space. Seating was reconfigured from the existing layout to improve both capacity and circulation through the theater. An ADA Lift was added in the backstage area to allow an accessible path to the backstage & onto the stage itself. The mechanical distribution of the space was redesigned in coordination with Lizardos to serve the added capacity and improve the overall acoustics of the theater. A new vestibule was introduced at the theater entrance to improve acoustics by creating a buffer to outside noise entering the theater.