Mecanoo create new landmark theatre & makerspace for Jacob’s Pillow

The opening date has been released for the reimagined Doris Duke Theatre in Becket, MA, which was destroyed by fire in 2020 and has been redesigned by Tenderstream member Mecanoo, alongside architect of record Marvel with technical theatre consultant - and Tenderstream member - Charcoalblue. Internationally renowned dance hub Jacob’s Pillow have announced a multi-day opening celebration for the landmark venue beginning on 9th July 2025, with programming continuing throughout the summer as part of the nation’s longest-running dance festival.

The design for the new theatre allows for multi-use flexibility, so that the facility can support performances, events, and residencies - sometimes simultaneously. The main performance space will seat up to 220-400 patrons, within an array of seating and stage configurations. The building’s mass timber structure is clad in thermally treated pine, designed to weather over time. Transformation will also occur throughout the seasons, with the use of natural materials responsive to alterations of light and shadow. Rainwater will be collected for future reuse, with the generous veranda providing natural shading. Through its form, function, and connection to the land, the design is intended to embody the poetry of place and provide an enduring testament to the power of dance, nature, and human creativity.

Francine Houben, Mecanoo’s Creative Director and Founding Partner, said: “At the heart of the new Doris Duke Theatre lies a celebration of movement, space, and connection. Inspired by Mecanoo’s core values of ‘people, place, purpose, and poetry,’ the new theatre captures the essence of dance, not only as an art form but as a deeply human experience intertwined with the landscape and community. Rooted in the rolling hills of the Berkshires, the theatre honours the rich heritage of Jacob’s Pillow while pushing the frontiers of the performing arts. The design draws on the rhythms of nature, mirroring the fluidity and grace of dancers.”

Lucy Nordberg

Tenderstream Head of Research

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