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Constructed
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| **** Honor Award in Restauration **** |
Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium Modernization
(# 169) |
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| Completion |
2019 |
| Specific Use of Building |
Auditorium and Classroom Facility |
| Project Location |
1245 N Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA 91762 |
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Gardiner W Spring Auditorium was constructed as part of the original rebuilt Chaffey High School campus, destroyed after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. The campus was placed on the California State Historic Landmark List (#58) in 1999 and is a contributor to the Euclid Avenue Historic District in the city of Ontario. The mission style auditorium seats 1,850 persons with a traditional proscenium stage and a complex myriad of support rooms for rehearsals and performances.
The project renovation scope was primarily focused on structural, safety and accessibility improvements along with the preservation and restoration of the historic nature of the project. The most notable aspect of the auditorium is the custom painted mural on the domed ceiling of the grand theater house. With the need to replace the catwalk systems, the theater and house lighting, new HVAC, electrical, and the introduction of fire sprinklers the ceiling would need to be demolished and replaced. This became the most challenging aspect of renovation. All efforts were taken to keep this spectacular artifact intact, but the extensive modifications needed above the ceiling necessitated the removal of the entire ceiling system including the complex structural support system and domed shaped plaster finish that held the mural. An expert group of restoration artists were brought onboard to meticulously document the existing ceiling prior to its demolition and they completely replicated it in its entirety including the accommodation and integration of all the new systems installed above it.
The cost of the final project was $30 million. Much of which was associated with bringing the 1939 building into compliance with current safety and accessibility requirements. Nearly every major element of the building was non-accessible, including theater seating, restrooms, elevator, railings, and the exterior entrances.
The design team took a studied and sensitive approach to making these necessary changes. Special care was taken to restore or replace all finishes and fixtures to match their original intent. All the theater seats were removed, refinished, and reinstalled. Various interior modifications and additions were removed to restore the first and second floor lobby spaces back to their original state. The HVAC system was replaced, and state mandated fire sprinklers were added for safety. The various decorative flooring materials were restored or replaced with either matching or new material that retained the original character of the floors. All railings were restored and remounted to appropriate heights. Light fixtures and hardware were replaced with code compliant custom elements designed to emulate their original predecessors.
To provide the necessary accessibility to the seven various levels of the building two new towers were constructed at the stage side of the building, one containing a new stair and the other enclosing a new elevator. These towers were designed to complement the character of historic mission style building. They needed to appear to have been part of the original design.
Gardiner W Spring Auditorium reopened in fall of 2019. The splendor of the original building is restored and enhanced and will well serve the community for many generations to come. |
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