Diller Scofidio + Renfro Architecture Studio (DS+R) in New York has been chosen to renovate the Kalita Humphreys Theater in Dallas, Texas, originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
DS+R Studio will restore Wright’s original 1959 structure, which was his first and only independently designed theater. Since then, the theater has undergone various additions and fallen into disrepair. Charles Renfro, Managing Partner at DS+R, explained, “Over the years, the integrity of this building has been compromised due to neglect and unsympathetic additions.”
Renfro added, “Restoring the Kalita Humphreys Theater to its original state requires a multifaceted approach, including precise removal of later additions, selective reconstruction, careful preservation, and a faithful reinterpretation of Wright’s design intent.”
Wright’s initial design featured a roughly pentagonal shape with smooth edges and a circular structure on top. In the late 1960s, a lobby was added to the original foundation, which Renfro noted “destroyed the original shape of the building.”
The renovation will remove the later lobby additions and other extraneous elements added over the decades. The theater interior will also be upgraded by repositioning audience seating and enhancing audiovisual and backstage facilities to better align with Wright’s original vision.
Renfro emphasized, “To secure the future of the Kalita Humphreys Theatre, this project must not only restore the building but also adapt it to meet the needs of contemporary artists and audiences.”
Beyond the theater itself, the plans include improvements to the surrounding landscape and new structures that complement the artistic vision of the property. Wright’s original design was inspired by the limestone cliffs that once bordered the site, but these natural features were removed to make way for parking lots and infrastructure.
Although the cliffs removed during the 1968 expansion cannot be restored, the reshaped landscape will echo the site’s original terrain, Renfro said.
He added, “Invasive bamboo will be removed and replaced with native grasses and shrubs to help control erosion and absorb runoff during increasingly intense weather events.” The landscaping will also enhance connections between the theater and adjacent parks along the Guixi Waterway.
Along the landscaped path, DS+R plans to construct a series of exhibition halls with varied functions, all designed to complement the scale and form of the theater.
These include a black box theater featuring a “walkable ceiling grid and operable façade,” a multipurpose space for educational programs, and a rehearsal tower. All new structures will be constructed from large wooden components sourced from local manufacturers. Renfro noted that the wood’s warm, organic quality will contrast with the mineral tones of the original theater building.
Founded in 1981, DS+R Studio has completed numerous projects both in the United States and internationally, including a performing arts venue at St. Cross College in Massachusetts.
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