December 2020 - When the Seattle Opera Center’s walls were erected, barriers fell. The 105,000-square-foot home of the Seattle Opera opened in December 2018 with the goal of increasing public engagement. The design provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the inner workings of opera.

The public can peer through windows to watch the costumers at work and performers rehearsing scenes from new productions and some of the most popular historic operas. Insulated steel-faced panels play a starring role in a building that appears to be mostly glass. Designed by NBBJ architects, the Seattle Opera headquarters incorporates more than 44,000 square feet of Kingspan KarrierPanels to create a modern, high-performing building envelope. The system features KarrierRail to safely transmit loads to structural supports, hidden behind the metal panels.

Much like the stage crew of an opera production, the system comes together quickly and efficiently to create the final acclaim. “Our new building is beautiful, magical, welcoming, larger than life, and world class—just like what Seattle Opera aspires to be,” Dominica Myers, associate director of administration, stated days before the grand opening.

Photos: Kingspan North America