The Reach: A Living Memorial by Steven Holl Architects

Revolutionizing Performing Arts Spaces with Innovative Architecture

The Reach, an expansion of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is a testament to the future-oriented vision of the arts institution. It stands in contrast yet complements the original Kennedy Center building by Edward Durell Stone. The three pavilions of The Reach are fused with the landscape, shaping outdoor spaces, and framing views to other monuments.

What sets The Reach apart is its unique design properties. The three pavilions are interconnected below green roofs, expanding interior space with open studios, rehearsal and performance spaces, and dedicated arts learning spaces. The landscape serves as a green roof, the largest in Washington, D.C., providing opportunities for casual performances and enhanced engagement.

The design realization technology used in The Reach is equally impressive. The pavilions, made of titanium white board-formed concrete, engage with the landscape, gently curving to catch natural light for the interior. A newly developed crinkled concrete texture lines the walls of rehearsal and performance spaces, integrating acoustical qualities directly within the structural cast-in-place concrete walls.

The Reach is not just a marvel of design but also a testament to technical precision. It boasts 72,000 sf interior space and 130,000 sf of gardens with reflecting pools and a pedestrian bridge connection to the riverfront. The open landscape provides both large and intimate spaces to gather and visit at all times of the day. Simulcast projections of live performances from within the Kennedy Center are projected onto the north wall of the largest pavilion in front of a broad lawn.

The project started in 2012, with construction beginning in November 2015, and was completed in the Summer of 2019. The opening day for the public was on September 7th, 2019, and had a 16-day-long festival. The design faced several challenges, including the need for exposed load-bearing natural concrete structure in the rectangular performance spaces without compromising the acoustical requirements. The solution was Crinkle Concrete - a 3” deep randomized relief in the concrete that breaks up and diffuses sound, mitigating flutter echo.

The Reach was awarded Golden in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2020, a testament to its innovative design and impact on the world of architecture and performing arts. This design is a living embodiment of the Kennedy Center's active position among the presidential monuments, offering a unique blend of performance, education, and community engagement spaces.