THE CHALLENGE
Design new auditorium audience seating and related repairs, as well as handicap accessibility upgrades at the Wellesley Middle School Auditorium. The seating was outdated, much of the fabric was ripped, torn, or missing altogether, the armrests and seat backs were scratched or had been vandalized and some seats were missing. The number of wheelchair accessible spaces and companion seating were not compliant with current ADA codes. In addition, concrete floors had spalled in several areas and the paint was peeling, chipping and stained.
CBI’S SOLUTION
CBI provided architectural design services to modernize this 840-seat auditorium. All seating was replaced with modern foldable seating, the existing carpet was replaced, concrete spalls were repaired, and the concrete floor was repainted with an epoxy coating and the walls and ceiling were painted. New LED lighting was installed on the aisle floors which is energy efficient, modern and visually appealing.
Additionally, the auditorium did not meet current accessibility code standards. CBI brought the auditorium up to code with a minor change in layout without losing any capacity; a new handrail was installed at the entrance ramp and new companion seats were installed near the wheelchair accessible spaces.
The new seating, carpeting, flooring and paint make the space more modern, comfortable, and visually appealing for the community who come to see performances by the Middle School students and attendance at public meetings that are often held here.
