Built in 1971, the Philip A. Hart Auditorium is one of the iconic spaces of the renowned law school located in Washington DC, USA, where debates, conferences, master classes, and oral competitions are held. Due to the changing needs of students and faculty, the university completely renovated the auditorium to incorporate the most advanced technology and offer exceptional comfort.
The renovation project was commissioned by the renowned architecture firm Perkins&Will. The team, led by Carl Knutson, the principal architect of the studio, faced several challenges. The most significant: improving the sightlines of all the seats in the auditorium, even if it meant losing some seats.
To achieve this goal, the side balconies, which had poor visibility, were removed, and the amphitheatre, which provides a frontal view for spectators, was improved. Seats were added in the stalls.
The Figueras team collaborated with the architects from a very early stage of the project. This collaboration allowed for a perfect choice to equip the auditorium and meet the needs of the educational community of the Law Center.
The Figueras Scala model was chosen for its ergonomics and comfort, but also for its straight and elegant lines. On this occasion, a writing tablet, integrated into the armrest of the seat, was added, along with power sockets for laptops and USB ports for charging electronic devices. The finishes chosen for the seats match the rest of the auditorium, where neutral colors predominate. Light wood and grayish upholstery bring light to the space and offer a very pleasant feeling of spaciousness, giving it a warm and enveloping touch.
When choosing this seat from Figueras Seating, Perkins&Will considered aspects such as durability and ergonomics, for which Figueras Seating stands out in the market.
This auditorium project won the Pinnacle Award 2024, a recognition awarded by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA MAC).
From Figueras Seating, we had the opportunity to speak with Carl Knutson, the architect responsible for this renovation. You can read the full interview here.
