The Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, or HSPVA, is a performing arts school in Houston, Texas, whose mission is to provide a balanced program of challenging academics and rigorous training in the arts. The school focuses on six art areas: vocal music, instrumental music, dance, theatre, visual art, and creative writing. HSPVA houses roughly 750 students and is alma mater to many Grammy-winning musicians, Emmy-winning actors, successful journalists, and famous performers. The school has one of the highest numbers of Presidential Scholars in the Arts in the nation.
HSPVA was originally built in 1971 and had experienced piecemeal renovations as the school aged. It was bursting at the seams with more students across the country interested in attending. After an extensive search for a new facility, school administration decided to open a new location in downtown and design a building to meet the growing needs of the school and its students.
The new five-story building features a front entrance with two-story glass windows and a wide stairwell, 800-seat main theatre with a balcony, dance and music studios, 150-seat recital hall, 200-seat theatre, 190-seat black box theatre, rehearsal rooms, modern outdoor dining area, two levels of underground parking, and an outdoor roof terrace. The project has achieved LEED Silver certification.
WJHW provided Theatre Planning and Consulting Services, detailed seating layout and specifications, performance rigging and drapery systems, performance lighting and controls systems, and architectural lighting design. The design team also provided designs for the Orchestra Pit, including Lift systems and Acoustical Shell Systems (ceilings & towers).
SCOPE OF DESIGN SERVICES
– Theatre Planning & Consulting
– Detailed Seating Layout & Specifications
– Performance Rigging & Drapery Systems
– Performance Lighting & Controls Systems
– Architectural Lighting Design
– Orchestra Lift System
– Orchestra Acoustical Shell Systems
– Intercommunication Systems