Trahan Architects have designed The Crest, a sculpture and performing arts space, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The architect’s description
The project brief called upon the architects to design a structure that functions as both an outdoor performing arts space for cultural and community events and as an iconic public sculpture.
Cantilevering a distance of 85’-0”, the 35’ high canopy is supported by an internal structural steel frame clad in 3/8” to 1-1/4” stainless steel plate that floats gracefully above a platform that doubles as an outdoor performance stage.
The sculptural metallic form frames views of the adjacent city library, city hall, historic capitol building and an adjacent park, providing a visual focus and anchor for its setting in Galvez Plaza at the heart of the city center.
When required, a modular performance truss system is assembled on site and attached to the sculptural frame. This expedited installation allows for maximum flexibility, readily accommodating a variety of lighting and speaker configurations while providing shelter from the elements for artists.
In order to mediate varying elevations along the platform edges and eliminate the need for access ramps, the stage gradually arcs from side to side with a maximum slope of 1/8″ – 1’-0” at its center. This increase in flexibility for the total stage area accommodates a broad range of performance types.
Architect: Trahan Architects
Project Team: Victor F. “Trey” Trahan III, FAIA – Founder / CEO, Design Principal; Brad McWhirter, AIA – Project Architect; Mark Hash; Rachel Hall-Taravella; Art Terry
Consultants: Structural – LBYD
General Contractor: Arrighi Construction, LLC
Photography by Timothy Hursley