Newtown’s Public Building and Site Commissioners (PBSC), who oversee most of the community’s public capital projects, unanimously selected Smith Edwards McCoy Architects of Hartford to design the Newtown High School auditorium renovation. The firm has a portfolio that includes a new performing arts center for Hartt School at the University of Hartford that was converted from a crumbling abandoned auto dealership.

The firm also recently completed part of a historical and ADA conformity renovation at The Old State House in Hartford, and has been a collaborator on a diverse range of projects at Wadsworth Atheneum over the past three decades.

PBSC Chairman Robert Mitchell, himself a commercial architect, told The Newtown Bee this week that while it was difficult narrowing the ten qualified firms vying for the Newtown project down to a “short list” of five, those companies all brought top credentials, similar expertise, and top architect talent to the table.

“What inspired us to select Smith Edwards McCoy, was their philosophy not to treat this as a high school auditorium renovation, but as a college level theater that will serve the community as an auditorium as well,” Mr Mitchell explained. “This room has become a destination performing arts venue above and beyond the programs being offered as part of the curriculum. And this firm just completed the Handel Center at Hartt, which is getting rave reviews.”

Mr Mitchell was quick to acknowledge Board of Education Chairman Keith Alexander, who recently acted in 12.14 Foundation productions on the current high school stage. The committee also received “exceptional support,” according to Mr Mitchell, from School Facilities Director Gino Faiella and Director of Music and Fine Arts Chair Michelle Hiscavich.

In September 2014, town officials learned that the project, whose bonding was already approved by voters for $2.2 million, had escalated in cost to more than $3.5 million. At the same time, however, a school district consultant told finance officials that since planned work would bring the facility up to current fire code and handicap accessibility compliance, the town could seek and would likely receive more than half a million dollars in state reimbursements.

Ms Hiscavich is on record stating that many of the backstage features in the current auditorium are now either obsolete or no longer conform to safety or fire code standards.

The PBSC now plans to quickly expand its outreach to speak to other groups that use the auditorium.

“Time is critical for us as we go down the path toward construction,” Mr Mitchell said. “We want to, as much as possible, avoid the postponement or relocation of too many performing arts activities that would happen in that room.”

He added that Ms Hiscavich is already working on several alternate locations for these performances. A message left for Ms Hiscavich to provide added comment was not immediately returned.

Mr Mitchell said that during the interviews, the Smith Edwards McCoy team presented itself as wanting to explore townwide ideas about how to best redesign and lay out the facility.

“Their acoustic consultants are probably the best in the country and their engineers – CES – have worked with the town before,” Mr Mitchell said. “In addition, Smith Edwards McCoy’s theater consultants at Next Step Design were motivated to explore maximizing the utility of the theater’s wings and fly system,” he added referring to the space and mechanicals that raise and lower set pieces from above and behind the curtain line.

One of the major drivers of the project is bringing the auditorium up to current fire, safety and Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, which Mr Mitchell said will all be incorporated as part of the ongoing design process.

He suggested that the team from Smith Edwards McCoy will explore reconfiguring seating to improve sight lines for audience members without creating any need for further structural renovations or increased project costs. Mr Mitchell said the team will also examine how to create entryways that do not leak light or outside noise into the theater, especially when productions are in process.

The architects also plan to complete their design allowing for future phased add-ons like a set and property construction shop.

“They will create a mini master plan and design all related aspects to allow for any future add-ons to occur without having to rip up any work that has already been completed,” Mr Mitchell said. “They also have experience working with the state school facilities department, so we will be certain to complete the project on time without jeopardizing any possible educational reimbursements we may qualify for from the state.”

The PBSC chairman said those reimbursements could be in excess of $600,000.

With permission, Mr Mitchell said project supporters may attempt various fundraising initiatives to help increase the budget for improved lighting, sound and staging equipment.

“So maybe if people want to put their names on one of the auditorium chairs, those funds can go to purchasing more expansive lighting systems for example,” he said. “The finished product will end up being the polar opposite of its original design — as well as the design of most state high school auditoriums.

“In Newtown our performing arts programs are so strong, they really demand and deserve a college or professional level facility,” Mr Mitchell said. “I believe last year we had more than 3,000 students and youth engaged in one or more performing arts programs.”

According to the Smith Edwards McCoy website, the firm provides a full range of architectural and planning services that encompass virtually every building type that makes up a community: schools, corporate and governmental offices, firehouses, museums, maintenance facilities, restaurants, retail stores, housing of all types and streetscapes.

Smith Edwards McCoy is primarily recognized for its work in three specific areas: urban design, school design, and the renovation and restoration of existing buildings.

“At the core of our thinking is the belief that architecture is about place making, and that good design can enhance the human experience it serves,” the firm’s site states. “We strive to make buildings which work for our clients. We see these buildings as opportunities to create places which are functional, yet give dignity to their occupants, and encourage creative interaction and enjoyment. To us, context is more important than style, user satisfaction more than architectural statements, human scale more than monumentality.”