We proudly celebrated the successful completion and opening of the reimagined Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Rising from the ashes of the beloved original—which was lost to fire in 2020— “The Duke” represents a bold new future for performance architecture, blending craft, technology, and sustainability.
Built in close collaboration with architecture firm Mecanoo, Marvel Architects, TYLin Engineering and Allegrone Construction, we played a pivotal role in the prefabrication and site assembly of this 20,000-square-foot cultural landmark. Built almost entirely of precision-engineered mass timber, The Duke reflects our commitment to green materials, carbon-conscious construction, and timeless design.
“The Duke was an opportunity to push the boundaries of what a performance space can be aesthetically and from a sustainable, longevity perspective,” said Tedd Benson, Founder of Bensonwood. “It’s more than a building. It’s a new kind of instrument for performances and aligns with Bensonwood’s support of the arts.”
At the heart of The Duke’s design is mass timber — a material that aligns with our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and craft. Mass timber offers significant environmental advantages by reducing embodied carbon compared to traditional steel or concrete structures. Its engineered strength allows for lighter foundations, while prefabrication enables faster, more precise construction. Beyond performance, mass timber also brings warmth and beauty to the built environment, creating inviting spaces that resonate with both form and function. Mass timber continues to be a design philosophy that builds upon the team’s craftsmanship, and supports a more sustainable, efficient, and inspiring future for architecture.
Built on the historic grounds of Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, MA, The Duke also includes rehearsal spaces, media rooms, artist support facilities, and community gathering areas designed to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century dance.
The project was made possible through leadership funding from the Doris Duke Foundation and other key philanthropic partners, alongside a shared commitment to redefining the future of performing arts infrastructure.
The Duke opened to the public July 9–13 with a week of performances, artist activations, and a premiere exhibition celebrating the intersection of dance and digital expression.
