The 52nd Street Project is a community based non-profit that matches kids from Hell’s Kitchen with professional theater artists to create original theatre. The theatre opened its permanent home designed by BKSK Architects in Spring 2009. After occupying various temporary spaces since it was founded 30 years ago, the group now has its own entrance and two floors in a new development on the corner of 10th Ave and 53rd St in Manhattan. At the heart of the space is a 156-seat black box theatre. IWEISS’ scope included design consultation with the project’s theatre consultant, Fisher Dachs, engineering, fabrication and installation of a 40’ x 40’ Tension Wire Grid, the railing system that surrounds the grid insuring the safety of the folks working and walking on the grid and a full package of drapery and track for their studios, classrooms and theatre.
Tension wire grids are a safe and resilient solution for community based and academic institutions. The wire grids consist of a suspended steel frame with wire rope woven in an over-and-under pattern to create a two inch mesh that is light-transparent. The grid panels are supported from hangers attached to the support structure of the building. The project is expected to achieve LEED Gold. IWEISS has been a long time supporter of the 52nd St Project and is thrilled to have had an opportunity to play our part in creating their new home.
