Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 25, 2025
Kotobuki Revolutionizes Delacorte Theater with Inclusive Seating Design
TLDR
- Kotobuki Seating International's innovative theater seating design establishes a competitive advantage in public venue contracts through superior comfort and inclusive features.
- Kotobuki engineered 1,864 custom seats with quiet-rise technology, XL seating integration, and weather-resistant materials for The Delacorte Theater's $85 million renovation.
- This renovation more than doubles ADA-accessible seating and provides inclusive design, making free cultural experiences more equitable for all New Yorkers.
- The Delacorte Theater's revitalization features seats made from reclaimed redwood and innovative quiet-rise technology for outdoor Shakespeare performances.
Impact - Why it Matters
This renovation sets a new standard for cultural accessibility that extends far beyond one theater. As public spaces increasingly prioritize inclusivity, the innovations demonstrated here—particularly the discreet XL seating and expanded ADA accommodations—provide a blueprint for other cultural institutions worldwide. For theatergoers, this means more comfortable, dignified experiences regardless of body size or mobility needs. The successful outdoor adaptation of quiet-rise technology also advances possibilities for open-air performance venues everywhere. Most importantly, by enhancing The Public Theater's free programming, these improvements ensure that high-quality cultural experiences remain accessible to diverse audiences, reinforcing the vital role of public arts in building community cohesion and cultural democracy.
Summary
Kotobuki Seating International, the global leader in public seating design, has played a pivotal role in the $85 million revitalization of New York City's iconic Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home to The Public Theater's celebrated Free Shakespeare in the Park program. Working in close collaboration with Ennead Architects and Fisher Dachs Associates Theater Planning and Design, Kotobuki designed and manufactured 1,864 innovative seats that represent a quantum leap in spectator comfort for the theater's 63-year history. The project was driven by a mission to modernize the beloved cultural institution while dramatically improving accessibility and experience for all patrons, actors, and staff members.
The seating system addresses multiple complex challenges unique to this open-air cultural landmark through several groundbreaking innovations. Kotobuki engineered XL seats that are visually indistinguishable from standard seats, ensuring patrons of all sizes feel equally accommodated without stigmatization. The company adapted its AURA Chair with a custom quiet-rise function specifically for outdoor use, minimizing noise disruption during performances to preserve the intimate acoustics of live theater. Additional enhancements include custom-sized donor plaques for improved recognition, wider seating options ranging from 19 to 22 inches to replace outdated 18-inch seats, and more than doubling ADA-accessible seating to 34 positions—directly supporting The Public Theater's mission of free and equitable cultural access.
As Keiko Fukasawa Sutton, CEO of Kotobuki, emphasized, the company approaches seating not as mere furniture but as an integral architectural component that shapes spatial and cultural experiences. The successful collaboration resulted in a system that embodies inclusivity, comfort, and longevity while supporting Ennead's architectural vision of a space that balances timeless elegance with contemporary needs. The theater's reopening in July 2025 with Twelfth Night marks the beginning of a new chapter where Kotobuki's seating innovations will enhance the experience for generations of theatergoers enjoying free performances in one of New York's most beloved cultural settings.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by Reportable. Read the original source here, Kotobuki Revolutionizes Delacorte Theater with Inclusive Seating Design
