TST: Crypt Floor
Torn Space TheaterWork performed for Studio NORTH Architecture (Director: Christopher Romano) w/ Michael HooverThis project involved the design development, shop drawing production, and custom fabrication of a modular flooring system for Torn Space Theater. The system was engineered to support a flexible performance environment, allowing the stage floor to transition between a flat surface and an open pit configuration as required by different productions.
The flooring is composed of custom-fabricated honeycomb panels designed for strength, durability, and reduced weight. Each panel is fully removable, enabling rapid reconfiguration while maintaining precise alignment and consistent load distribution across the structure. The honeycomb construction provides structural rigidity while minimizing material mass, making the panels manageable for repeated installation and removal by theater staff.
The system integrates a curved perimeter condition that aligns with the architectural geometry of the performance space. Custom steel edge frames and substructure components were fabricated to ensure tight tolerances, clean transitions to surrounding finishes, and long-term durability under repeated use. Panel joints, fasteners, and access points were carefully detailed to remain visually minimal while meeting performance and safety requirements.
This project required close coordination between design intent, fabrication constraints, and on-site installation. Digital modeling and shop drawings were used to resolve geometry, sequencing, and tolerances prior to fabrication. The result is a robust, adaptable flooring system that supports Torn Space Theater’s experimental programming while enabling future flexibility, maintenance access, and long-term use.
