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The University of Iowa’s new Hancher Auditorium makes its debut on September 9. With a sculptural form composed of curving, cantilevered terraces clad in stainless steel and glass, the 1,800-seat performing arts facility is the result of intensive collaboration among design-team members from 17 organizations. Theater design is never simple, but a compressed schedule and atypical geometry added complexity to the design process. Thornton Tomasetti’s façade specialists, structural engineers and construction support professionals worked closely with one another and with all design and construction team members to develop sophisticated solutions to several significant engineering challenges.

This Friday, a six-year wait comes to an end as the Hancher Auditorium reopens to the delight of eastern Iowans with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this Friday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. Following the ceremony, there will be an open house and viewing of the University’s $176 million LEED gold certified auditorium and performance building.

On Friday, the new version of the legendary performance hall will open its doors to the public after eight long years of discussion, planning, and construction. Beginning with a ribbon-cutting celebration at 3 p.m., the day’s events will also include a formal open house, welcoming the community inside Hancher’s new walls. For those that won’t be able to make the event on Friday — or for those who want to get another look at the space — there will also be a second open house on Sept. 11.

Beautiful views and a building that is art itself are among the key features of the new Hancher Auditorium, rebuilt after flooding destroyed the University of Iowa performing arts center.