The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has long stood as a dual symbol of cultural enrichment and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Designed by Edward Durell Stone in 1971, its monumental architecture represents a significant moment in American design history, embodying the ideals of grandeur and permanence. However, as society evolved, so did the need for this iconic institution.
The REACH Technical Information
- Architects1-24: Steven Holl Architects
- Original Design Architect: Edward Durell Stone
- Location: Washington, DC, United States
- Client: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Area: 6,690 m2 | 72,000 Sq. Ft.
- Project Year: 2012 – 2019
- Photographs: © Iwan Baan, © Richard Barnes
The design for The REACH merges architecture with the landscape to expand the dimensions of a living memorial.
– Steven Holl Architects
The REACH at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Photographs
Architectural Vision: Integrating Landscape and Form
In 2019, Steven Holl Architects unveiled The REACH, a transformative expansion of the Kennedy Center. This addition addresses the Center’s growing need for rehearsal and educational spaces and redefines how architecture can interact with its environment and community. Through its harmonious integration of landscape and form, The REACH bridges the past and future, enabling the Kennedy Center to continue its legacy as a dynamic and accessible space for the arts.
Steven Holl’s design for The REACH is a masterclass in merging architecture with the natural environment. Unlike Edward Durell Stone’s original building, which stands as a monumental object, The REACH flows organically into its surroundings. The three pavilions—characterized by ruled-surface geometry—curve gently, creating a dialogue between built form and landscape. These titanium-white, board-formed concrete structures appear monolithic from afar yet reveal a human-scale tactility up close, thanks to the use of Douglas fir boards in their concrete forms.
The design incorporates elements that deeply resonate with President Kennedy’s legacy. A grove of 35 gingko trees pays homage to his position as the 35th President of the United States. At the same time, the reflecting pool and mahogany deck echo the dimensions and materials of his WWII boat, PT-109. These thoughtful details reinforce The REACH’s role as a living memorial that celebrates Kennedy’s life and values.
The pavilions frame views of Washington, D.C.’s historic landmarks, including the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, establishing a symbolic and visual connection to the city’s monumental core. Embedded within the landscape, green roofs cover the pavilions, providing expansive public spaces that merge seamlessly with the natural environment. This integration ensures that The REACH is an architectural achievement and a communal sanctuary.
Innovative Interior Design and Technical Achievements
The interiors of The REACH reflect a commitment to functional innovation and artistic expression. A standout feature is the crinkled concrete texture that lines the walls of rehearsal and performance spaces. This texture, integrated directly into the structural cast-in-place concrete, enhances acoustics while creating a unique tactile and visual experience.
Thanks to strategically placed etched and translucent glass, natural light floods every space. By layering translucent films within the glass, Holl ensures that light is diffused evenly, creating luminous interiors that inspire creativity. This interplay of light and materiality makes The REACH feel open and welcoming while establishing an intimate connection with the surrounding landscape.
The underground layout of the expansion adds another layer of ingenuity. With 72,000 square feet of rehearsal studios, performance spaces, and arts learning areas, The REACH creates a seamless flow between interior and exterior. The spatial organization prioritizes functionality and accessibility, inviting visitors to explore and engage with the Kennedy Center’s diverse offerings.
The REACH as a Model for 21st-Century Arts Institutions
The REACH sets a new standard for how cultural institutions can serve their communities. Its flexible indoor and outdoor spaces encourage public engagement, whether through casual gatherings, simulcast projections, or impromptu performances. By democratizing access to the arts, The REACH reinforces the Kennedy Center’s role as a cultural exchange and education hub.
Sustainability is also a key component of this expansion. The extensive green roofs, spanning approximately 69,000 square feet, contribute to the city’s ecological health by reducing urban heat and managing stormwater runoff. The project demonstrates how architecture can be both environmentally responsible and socially impactful, offering green spaces that serve as a resource for the entire community.
Finally, adding a pedestrian bridge reconnects the Kennedy Center to the Potomac River, restoring a link that had been lost for over 50 years. This new connection symbolizes REACH’s forward-looking ethos, which bridges history and modernity while embracing inclusivity and accessibility.
The REACH at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Plans
The REACH at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Image Gallery
About Steven Holl
Steven Holl is a renowned American architect who is celebrated for his innovative approach to integrating architecture with the natural environment. Born in Bremerton, Washington, in 1947, Holl established Steven Holl Architects in 1976, a practice known for its humanistic and experimental design philosophy. His work frequently explores the interplay of light, materiality, and spatial geometry, as seen in landmark projects such as the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art expansion and the Linked Hybrid in Beijing. Holl’s designs often reflect a deep sensitivity to context, seamlessly merging structure and landscape, as The REACH at the Kennedy Center exemplifies. Among his numerous accolades, Holl has received the prestigious AIA Gold Medal and the Praemium Imperiale, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential architects of his generation.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Architect: Steven Holl Architects
- Design Architects: Steven Holl, Chris McVoy, Garrick Ambrose
- Partner in Charge: Chris McVoy
- Project Architect: Garrick Ambrose
- Assistant Project Architect: Magdalena Naydekova
- Project Team: Bell Ying Yi Cai, Kimberley Chew, J. Leehong Kim, Martin Kropac, Elise Riley, Yun Shi, Dominik Sigg, Jongseo Lee, Alfonso Simelio
- Crinkle Concrete Development Team: Garrick Ambrose, Chris McVoy, Magdalena Naydekova
- Associate Architects: BNIM
- Project Manager: Paratus Group
- Structural Engineers: Silman
- MEP Engineers: ARUP
- Civil Engineers: Langan
- Climate Engineers: Transsolar
- Lighting Consultant: L’Observatoire International
- Façade Consultant: Thornton Tomasetti
- Landscape Architect: Edmund D. Hollander Landscape Architects
- Traffic and Parking: Gorove Slade Associates
- Food Service Consultant: JGL Food Service Consultants
- Code Consultant: Protection Engineering Group
- Regulatory Consultant: Stantec
- Acoustics/AV/IT/Security Consultant: Harvey Marshall Berling Associates
- Pre-Construction Manager: James G. Davis Construction Corporation
- Vertical Transportation Consultant: Vertran
- Concrete Consultant: Reg Hough Associates
