Kotobuki Seating Transforms Delacorte Theater with Inclusive Design

Kotobuki Seating International has completed a comprehensive seating installation for the revitalized Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home to The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park. The $85 million renovation project involved designing and producing 1,864 new seats that combine ergonomic performance, outdoor durability, and inclusive design principles. The collaboration with Ennead Architects and Fisher Dachs Associates Theater Planning and Design resulted in a seating system that addresses multiple challenges specific to the open-air cultural landmark.

The seating upgrades represent one of the most significant improvements for audience experience at the 63-year-old theater. Kotobuki's approach treated seating not merely as furniture but as an architectural component integral to the spatial and cultural experience. The company developed custom engineering solutions that included XL seats measuring 27 inches wide, designed to be indistinguishable from standard seats to ensure patrons of all sizes feel equally accommodated without being singled out.

Technical innovations included adapting Kotobuki's AURA Chair with a custom quiet-rise function specifically for outdoor use at Central Park. This innovation minimizes noise during performances, supporting the intimacy and acoustics of live theater in an outdoor setting. The seating system also features custom-sized donor plaques with increased legibility, providing meaningful recognition for the theater's philanthropic supporters.

Comfort upgrades involved replacing outdated 18-inch seats with wider options ranging from 19 to 22 inches, complemented by ergonomic refinements designed to withstand Central Park's seasonal extremes. The number of ADA-accessible seats more than doubled to 34, directly supporting The Public Theater's mission of free and equitable access to culture. These improvements align with the renovation's primary goal of bringing the theater into the modern era with enhanced experience and accessibility for audiences, actors, and staff.

The seating system supports Ennead's architectural vision of creating a space that is both timeless and responsive to contemporary public needs. According to Cathleen Bachman, Principal at Fisher Dachs Associates, Kotobuki's new XL seat sets a new standard for outdoor seating. The company's contribution was essential to the project's success in delivering a space that is more comfortable and equitable.

Patrick Willingham, Executive Director of The Public Theater, emphasized that the revitalization represents more than restoration—it involves reconceiving the entire audience experience. The seating design plays an instrumental role in supporting the organization's mission of free theater for all New Yorkers. The theater reopened in July 2025 with a production of Twelfth Night directed by Saheem Ali, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the iconic venue.

The project demonstrates how thoughtful seating design can transform public cultural spaces, setting benchmarks for inclusivity and comfort in outdoor performance venues. The integration of technical precision with design sensitivity creates an environment where architectural details become as critical to the performance experience as the stage itself. This approach to public seating design may influence future renovations of similar cultural institutions seeking to improve accessibility and audience comfort.