Skip to main content
Moody Performance Hall_Exterior

Project Stats

Location

Dallas, Texas

Size

59,000 SF

Awards

AIA Illinois, Frank Lloyd Wright Award

The Chicago Athenaeum, American Architecture Award 

Topping Out Award, Top Ten

Dallas Architecture Forum — 25 Year Award Looking Back Finalist

Partner

SOM

Certifications

LEED Platinum

Expertise

Architecture
Sustainability & Wellness

Simple and elegant venue with acoustic flexibility for a variety of performance types.

The Dallas Arts District is home to a number of world-class performing arts venues and is the largest cultural district in the United States. The Moody Performance Hall was designed to be a prime venue for a substantial number of emerging, local performance groups, earning its reputation as a true “Village of the Arts.” 

The performance hall was commissioned by the City of Dallas with no philanthropic contributions from the private sector. However, the project exemplifies one of the most technically functional, user-oriented, and cost conscious performing arts facilities in the country today.

During the course of a year, over 75 local performing arts groups were interviewed in depth and open community forums were held to determine what was needed in a new complex. The responses were translated into the building’s plan and design, creating a brief to fit specific needs of a diverse group of users. The performance hall is notable for providing a simple and elegant interior with a professional level of technical capability and a design of unusual acoustic flexibility for a wide variety of performance types.

Moody Performance Hall Stage View
Moody Performance Hall Orchestra Shell

Concert Shell

Performance Hall

Providing flexibility for an array of performances.

The performance hall contains a 750-seat two-level theater, proscenium stage with an 80-foot-tall fly tower, orchestra pit, offices, and loading dock. The concert shell consists of movable oak-paneled walls and tilt-and-fly ceiling panels that can accommodate various types and sizes of performances.
 

Moody Performance Hall Mesh Curtain

LED Mesh Curtain

A programmable LED mesh “curtain” with color-changing nodes sits in place of traditional grand drapery and allows the curtain to be a canvas for changing electronic artwork.

Moody Performance Hall Wall Tapestries

Adjustable Wall Tapestries

Moody Performance Hall Wall Detail

Concrete Wall Surface Pattern

Complex sound diffusion techniques were utilized in developing the surface pattern of the poured in place concrete side walls. The board-formed rough wood texture of the walls enhances the acoustic response and diffuses and blends the lateral sound reflections.

For added sound absorption, adjustable double-layer wool serge tapestries can be lowered down the theater walls. 

The venue offers a pleasing performance space. The longer I stayed, the longer I wanted to be there.

Peter Simek — Arts Editor, D Magazine
Behind the Scenes
Moody Performance Hall Fly Loft
Moody Performance Hall Rigging
Moody Performance Hall Lobby
Lobby

The multi-level lobby serves as an additional adaptable performance and event space, viewable from the street through the transparent front façade. 

ZAIDA BASORA, FAIA, LEED B+C — Fmr. Assistant Director of Public Works

City of Dallas

"I have worked with Corgan for several years on major city projects and have experienced their commitment first hand. Their approach to this project, their expertise, knowledge and commitment to partnering with the City for this complex project that involved many entities in programming and design proved to be critical for their success."

Moody Performance Hall Lobby View from Street
Sustainability

A visually compelling, sustainable, and highly functional form.

Attaining LEED Platinum certification, the energy efficient design features include a concrete enclosure, minimal window openings at the east, west and south exposures, sustainable material selections, local product sourcing, and the efficient design of the mechanical and electrical systems.

Moody Performance Hall Stair
Moody Performance Hall Stair

Awards & Recognition

  • LEED Logo

    LEED Platinum

  • TxA Logo

    Texas Society of Architects, Design Award

  • AIA Logo

    AIA Illinois, Frank Lloyd Wright Award

  • Chicago Athenaeum Logo

    American Architecture Award

Contact Us

Collaborate with Corgan

Contact Us

Careers

Shape the Next Built Environment

See Open Positions