Stern Grove Festival Concert Facilities
San Francisco, CA

Our goal for this project was to create new facilities for the popular, free summer concert series in Sigmund Stern Grove Park. We worked closely with the Office of Lawrence Halprin, the designer of the landscape, terraced seating, paths and ramps to ensure a holistic approach to site and building design.

The new concert facilities feature a new performance platform, a backstage building for prop storage, two dressing rooms/ office areas, a green room, and public restroom facilities. The stage was designed to accommodate large ballet companies, and includes thrust elements to bring small musical groups close to the audience for intimate performances. A 40-foot high, sculptural steel truss forms a proscenium arch over the stage and evokes the trunks and branches of the surrounding trees. The truss supports sound reinforcement and lighting equipment as well as a removable fabric canopy that shades performers during concerts. During concerts, a giant sail covers the performance area providing shade.

The buildings were designed in a simple rustic style to accentuate the tranquil outdoor setting, choosing durable, low maintenance materials. For security outside the concert season, sliding- style barn doors and shutters protect windows and glass doors. The barn doors provide easy access for performers and stagehands to move instruments, props and equipment.