auditorium design

A key part of the audience's perception of the quality of a performing arts venue is the quality of its sound reinforcement and playback system. Artec's design services in this area cover sound reinforcement, playback, and stage monitoring systems.

For each system we are asked to design or upgrade, we look closely at the sound system needs of both resident and potential visiting users. Our design philosophy is based on an end-user's perspective; an approach informed by our design staff's extensive ongoing experience as freelance sound system operators. It is important for us that the designs we provide for our clients result in superior realization of both present and foreseeable future needs, while remaining respectful of the available budget.

At the core of Artec's design services is Auditorium Design. Artec applies its many years of experience in the design and planning of auditoria to each and every project, striving on each occasion to achieve the most appropriate solutions for the needs and ambitions of the Client.

Artec's list of commissions includes many different types of rooms, both new facilities and renovations, spanning a wide range of capital investment. We have worked on an extraordinarily wide variety of rooms, including, but not limited to, opera houses,proscenium theatres, thrust stage theatres, flexible spaces, arena theatres, recital halls, concert halls, and outdoor performance venues.

Designing a venue that incorporates the characteristics of several different types of facilities into one space is sometimes the appropriate solution to meet the needs of the community. Often, we recommend the incorporation of Adjustable Features that will allow the future owners and operators to accommodate a very wide range of performance types.

Artec approaches each project as an integral whole, starting from establishing the spatial relationship between the artists and the audience, so that each design develops the appropriate balance between architecture, acoustics, sightlines, audience comfort and safety, as well as the incorporation of appropriate Adjustable Features and specialized Performance Equipment Systems. We are convinced that this philosophy, unique in the industry, is a key reason for the successful track record that Artec has achieved.

Artec has extensive experience in all aspects of the design and specification of specialized performance equipment systems for venues ranging from concert halls and opera houses, to speech theatres and multi-use flexible spaces.

Artec's design philosophy is to keep these systems as simple and as labor efficient as possible. Artec prides itself on providing systems that are cost effective and enhance the ability of the artists to create a memorable performance.

Artec's performance equipment systems related services cover stage machinery, theatrical rigging, scenery handling and storage systems, concert shells and towers, adjustable acoustics elements, production lighting and the entire range of sound and communication and audio-visual systems.

The experience of the audience members as they enter the facility and make their way to the auditorium, the location and number of restroom and bar service facilities, and the ease with which they can circulate and find their seats, are a key part of the success of any performing arts facility.

The efficiency of technical operations is also dependant on the appropriate sizing of loading, storage and technical circulation spaces, their functional layout, and their spatial relationship to each other. Artec provides design guidance and recommendations in this key area.

Similarly, the appropriate sizing and functional layout of artist support spaces, and especially their spatial relationship to the platform, is another key area in which Artec provides recommendations to develop creative, but functional environments for artists and technicians to work.

Silence is the foundation of great acoustics for all types of performing arts spaces.

Our work in this area starts during the Pre-Design Phase when the desired acoustics quality level is determined and appropriate background noise level goals are established for every key space. We typically undertake measurements at the proposed site to determine the levels of background noise in the environmental noise, which forms the basis for our recommendations on building isolation.

We also provide the rest of the Design Team with recommendations regarding the optimal positioning of machinery rooms and other noise and vibration-generating equipment in the plan layout of the building to minimize isolation costs.

This process continues at the construction site, where the proper execution of the design becomes reality. Artec's consultants make periodic inspections of the work on site related to acoustical isolation to ensure that the project is built to the quality specified in the construction documents. Artec's extensive experience in designing truly effective isolation for a variety of sites and buildings is a key factor in achieving high-quality facilities as we work on site with the architect to help contractors and their sub-contractors understand and implement acoustics details correctly.

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