Concert Hall

The program called for a 1,500 seat capacity concert hall. A major emphasis on acoustics was taken into account with the goal to achieve a mid-frequency reverberation time of 1.9 seconds for orchestral performances. Other major considerations that had to be taken into account were lighting, mechanical, and circulation issues. The stage for the hall had to be 2,600 sf. consisting of a main platform and three rows of choir stalls, and special considerations had to be made for the piano storage, which was accommodated by a stage lift system that lowered the piano below the stage level when not in use.

Additional requirements were: backstage offices, performers entrances and waiting areas, instrument storage, dressing rooms, assembly areas, practice rooms, and a green room.

The design of the concert hall consisted of a light wood for the flooring, balconies, stage and acoustical canopy. The seating fabric is a dark charcoal weave creating a nice contrast with the light wood. The concave, non-parallel walls have an acoustic tile lighting system that has varying intensities of luminescence depending on the performance. These tiles are of varying depths to refract sound throughout the room, and are an important part of the concert hall.

Opera House

The opera house carries on the traditions of grand performance spaces of the major European capitals. The program called for a 1,200 seat capacity auditorium with strict requirements for viewing and acoustics. The 10,000 sf. stage consists of a main stage, two side stages, and a rear stage with access to a major lift system for loading and unloading of scenery and other materials. Other major requirements for the opera house were: a 36′ tall by 60′ wide proscenium opening, stage house, orchestra pit, directors booth, and a major emphasis on egress. Much like the concert hall, lighting, mechanical, circulation and acoustics were of high importance, and a mid-frequency reverberation time of 1.5 seconds had to be achieved.

The design of the auditorium used cherry wood accents for the floor, walls and balconies. Red velvet tones are used throughout the fabrics. The perimeter of all of the balconies are underlit to provide a nice glowing halo.

Adjacent to the opera house, major programmatic requirements had to be considered such as: backstage offices, performer entry, prop shops, scene storage shops, costume and wardrobe, instrument storage, dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms, and a green room. Outside of both the concert hall and opera house, a large multi-level lobby was designed with a restroom core for easy access. [Back]