DG 1110.3.120
DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
JANUARY 1981
CHAPTER 5: A TRADITIONAL CONCERT HALL
5-12. A TRADITIONAL
Typical detail approaches employed here are
CONCERT HALL
massive box-within-box construction for noise
exclusion, (the entire structure is separated from
adjoining construction by a one-inch gap). The
audience is urged to leave absorptive wraps in
lockers lining the perimeter corridor, which in
Orchestra Hall exemplifies the traditional ap-
turn is surfaced on four sides with carpet. Every
proach to concert hall design. It is patterned after
surface angle was tested in a large scale model
a succession of halls harking back to the Leipzig
to ensure even distribution, using mirrors and
Gewandhaus and Musikvereinsaal in Vienna.
a light source. On-site supervision and daily test-
The owners required acoustic excellence take
ing during construction resulted in an acousti-
precedence over all other considerations.
cally acclaimed Hall.
Traditional halls make use of boundary surfaces
The expense entailed for an excellent Hall cur-
to realize acoustic criteria. The orchestra speaks
tailed budgets for public, administrative and per-
directly into the Room from an unyielding re-
formers facilities. But the resulting austerity is
flective enclosure. Modelled surfaces through-
a lively contrast. The lobby became a large bright
out the hall help diffuse and distribute sound in
volume laced with gangways and stairs from
certain predictable ways. Successive fine-tuning
which people could see and be seen during in-
of each new hall has consequently resulted in a
termission. The musicians' quarters are small
number of Rooms very similar in proportions
but comfortable. Most rehearsals take place in
and architectural character, visually grand rather
the hall, but there are backstage dressing rooms,
than intimate. An attempt was made at Orchestra
lounge, Green Room and a sectional rehearsal
Hall to visually shorten the Room by bringing
space. Offices for the fund-raising and subscrip-
the ceiling pattern down behind the musicians
tion auxiliaries are also accommodated.
and by segmenting the shallow side balconies.
5-26
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