The renovation and expansion project of the aging, brutalist-style SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center added an aluminum scrim, reminiscent of a tree canopy, to integrate the building with the surrounding urban landscape and incorporate Sacramento’s culture of trees.
The scrim design, with three variants of hexagonal perforations, features a material palette emphasizing transparency, a stark contrast to the previous opaque concrete facade, creating a more inviting presence at the pedestrian level.
Designed by the architect, DLR Group, the renovated building offers visitors a sense of exploration, akin to wandering through a park. Delicate and impactful elements meld seamlessly—from the bespoke carpeting and the copper accents on the concierge bar to the Cacophony art piece—resulting in an unparalleled experience. The objective was to encourage repeated visits, with the anticipation of encountering something fresh or uncovering a new detail on each return. The custom carpet design, reminiscent of strolling amid trees where leaves form puddles and gather in piles, evokes a sensation of discovery. These subtle moments contribute to fostering a continuous sense of exploration.
The SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center was a professional performing arts facility desperately in need of a makeover. The aging brutalist structure was secluded from view and detached from the surrounding urban environment. To address the escalating demands of contemporary performances and to present a fresh image to the public, the building required a comprehensive modernization due to its deteriorating infrastructure.
Notable enhancements to the audience chamber and orchestra pit included the installation of one of California’s largest electro-acoustic enhancement systems, transforming the formerly acoustically subpar and visually confusing interior into a warm, inviting, and acoustically superior performance space.
The SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center received recognition in 2023 from the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Southwest Chapter, earning an award of merit in the public facility category.
