DePaul University: Sasha & Eugene Jarvis Opera Hall

Bulley & Andrews was honored to continue our service to DePaul University’s School of Music by remodeling the existing Concert Hall into a dedicated opera performance space. The building, renamed Sasha and Eugene Jarvis Opera Hall, has undergone an adaptive reuse which provides essential upgrades including a motorized operable orchestra pit, raised stage, tiered seating, lower-level support spaces, enhanced acoustics throughout and an elaborate system of catwalks. To better isolate the building from the sounds of the urban landscape, all fenestration was upgraded to support acoustical performance.

The extensive renovations included modest exterior work to retain the building’s familiar New England church appearance while creating a link to the Holtschneider Performance Center. The chapel’s interior was completely reworked to transition the structure to its new function: An elevated slab was added to support the new 160-seat, tiered audience chamber while a new proscenium creates a boundary between the stage, orchestra pit and audience chamber. The motorized orchestra pit and elaborate theatrical rigging and lighting above the main stage, including several hoisting systems, allow stage setups to be tailored for each performance. In addition to these architectural enhancements, Opera Hall also benefits from acoustically sensitive mechanical and plumbing systems and fully controllable theatrical lighting and audio systems which allow for more immersive performances.