ABSTRACT
The design idea for the Hatiloo Theater was to relocate the first black repertory theatre in Memphis from their start-up space to an existing parking lot in an urban entertainment district currently undergoing a resurgence. The new building allows the region’s only black repertory theatre to have its own identity and establish a presence on the corner of a main artery into the district. The new theatre had a modest budget for a modern-day theatre based on other precedents and case studies. The building was divided into two main programmatic volumes; the performance volume, which features two black box theatres and supporting spaces, and an administration volume. Materials such as Cor-Ten cladding were used for their ability to weather and oxidize over time and add to the unique character of the entertainment district while adding a distinct permanence to the building.
