June 2, 2023

As construction progresses on the backstage expansion of Powell Hall, decisions about the new front of house expansion–which includes a new lobby and Education and Learning Center–continue. On June 2, SLSO leaders and project representatives–including architects from Snøhetta, the project’s lead architecture firm–reviewed a mock up of bricks for the façade of the new entry lobby. The mock up depicted possible colors and textures of the brick considered in relation to Powell Hall’s current brick façade, which will not change. The façade’s aesthetic appeal was carefully selected to complement Powell Hall, which has been of the National Register of Historic Places since 2001.

The SLSO has hired John J. Smith Masonry, a local company, for the project’s masonry needs. The samples will be refined over the next few months until masonry work begins on the back of house expansion later this year. Experts masons will lay by hand each brick on the new lobby, which features elegant curves reminiscent of the shape of a violin.