SAN FRANCISCO, CA (September 12, 2003) AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER, Performing Arts/Media Facilities Planning and Design, New York, San Francisco, Minneapolis, announce the completion of their work on the Judy and Arthur Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York.

AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER worked in close collaboration with Polshek Partnership Architects, LLP, acoustics consultants from Jaffe Holden Acoustics and Carnegie Hall,s administration and staff on the planning and development of the Judy and Arthur Zankel Hall, beginning in 1997.

Opening on September 12, 2003, the Judy and Arthur Zankel Hall was originally a recital hall when Carnegie Hall opened in 1891. It has gone through numerous changes over time and now returns to its original purpose. The new Hall supports multiple configurations for performances, rehearsals and educational functions and is designed to meet Carnegie Hall's vision to provide multi-form performances from traditional to contemporary and experimental. Zankel Hall is also designed to accommodate a variety of Carnegie Hall's educational missions. Depending on the stage arrangement, the hall seats 540 in its smallest and 644 in its largest configuration.

As theatre design consultant, AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER was as an integral part of the design team, advising on all aspects of theatre design, from the layout of public spaces and backstage support facilities, seating and audience circulation, to the detailed development of the technical systems. The interplay between architect and consultants focused on the integration of the architecture with an array of technical systems that function as building blocks, facilitating flexible room design using three dimensional architectural elements. The inventive application of performance technology permits flexibility, with multiple variations of three primary room configurations. A series of lifts modulate the floor of Zankel Hall, allowing the stage and its audience to vary in proportion and relation to one another. Theatre seats, mounted on large platforms, slide easily in and out of storage on a cushion of air, allowing the audience seating arrangements to be changed as needed.

The theatrical systems automated stage machinery, theatrical lighting, and performance sound, video and communication systems are computer controlled, forming a flexible infrastructure that supports the Hall's unique broad programming mission. Theatrical rigging elements, performance lighting, acoustical reflectors and loudspeakers are accommodated on a battery of twenty-one motorized overhead trusses. The advanced design of the sound reinforcement playback, video and communications systems support each of the performance configurations and the Hall's distance learning requirements.

FACT SHEET: AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER

AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER collaborated with Polshek Partnership Architects, LLP to develop the Judy and Arthur Zankel Hall; Carnegie Hall's "Third Stage". Zankel Hall is a configurable space designed to meet Carnegie Hall's vision to support performances from traditional to contemporary and experimental. Zankel Hall is also designed to support a variety of Carnegie Hall's education missions. The Hall seats 540 in its smallest configuration and 644 in its largest and is also equipped to serve rehearsal and educational functions.

Room Configurations

The room configurations consist of three primary arrangements: an end stage, a center stage and a flat floor. Various permutations of these configurations are accomplished by the use of 9 floor lifts and 12 seat wagons.

End Stage

• 19' Endstage (649 seats)
  
  
• 25' Endstage (608 seats), with optional orchestra pit (547 seats)
  
  
• 31' Endstage (567 seats)

Center Stage

• Symmetrical center stage with elevated stage (601 seats) or flat stage (613 seats)
  
  
• Extended center stage with elevated stage (683 seats) or flat stage (695 seats)

Flat Floor/Educational

• Rehearsal floor at stage level
  
  
• Thrust stage with flat floor, stepped seating or step and flat floor seating

Theatrical Mechanized Systems

AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER developed a mechanized theatrical system comprised of three subsystems that enable the Hall to be configured as described above. The three systems work together to form seating areas, stages and a method of configuring the technical support.

Mechanized Floor/Lift System

The main floor level of Zankel Hall is made up of a series of eleven lifts. Nine lifts facilitate the stepped audience, and the four endstage configurations. Two smaller lifts that are incorporated in two larger lifts form the center and thrust stages in the middle of the room. The lift system when used in flat floor configuration allows for easy movement of large elements from the storage area located just upstage of the endstage rear wall.

Seatwagon System

A series of twelve stepped wagons and six flat wagons with approximately 410 fixed seats make up the building blocks that form each audience configuration. Stepped wagons are moved from storage area to their play locations using an air bearing system that allows the wagons to hover above the floor and be easily moved into position by the Hall's stagehands. Flat wagons, which are smaller and lighter, are transported on a series of tri-casters to their play positions. Each wagon is pinned into place on the lift floor and registered with the centralized master control system ensuring safe, repeatable operation of each configuration.

Motorized Rigging System

The motorized rigging system allows the overhead technical zone of the Hall to be arranged to reflect each of the configurations. The system is comprised of 21 self-climbing rectangular truss units laid out in seven rows of a three-truss grid. Each truss unit is fitted out with theatrical wiring devices (including lighting distribution and control, sound system distribution and low voltage receptacles), theatrical and architectural lighting fixtures, loudspeakers and acoustic reflectors. In addition there are four motorized battens spaced between the truss units that may be used as required for rigging projection screens, draperies, etc. Both trusses and battens are tied into the master control system and can be operated individually or in groups of three.

In addition to the performance elements of the motorized rigging system, there are rigging capabilities in the upstage storage area. The motorized counterweighted upstage wood wall rises to gain access to the seatwagon storage area where seating elements are raised in vertical tiers to maximize limited storage space. All seating and staging elements can store in this fashion to allow flat floor configuration in the auditorium for a rehearsal or banquet. The motorized counterweighted wall lowers back into position to provide a seamless, integrated rear wall for the performance platform.

Master Control System

The master control system operates and monitors all mechanized elements in the auditorium. The system's primary function is to ensure safe, repeatable use of the various configurations. At its most basic level, the system prompts users through set moves, giving status of element registration and safety features. At its most complex, the system enables trained users to operate the system as required outside of the preset configurations to optimize the inherent flexibility of the room and its operation.

Performance Systems

AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER worked closely with Carnegie Hall's designers and staff to develop state-of-the-art performance sound and lighting systems that would serve their current needs and allow for future expansion with developing technology.

Performance Lighting System

The performance lighting system is an Ethernet-based control system with the ability to control conventional, intelligent and architectural lighting fixtures. This dual network allows for the use of two different microprocessor based control consoles or a combination of both to operate as one large network. An integrated architectural control system functions along side the performance system and allows lighting preset recall for operation of lighting by a single stagehand when full console function is not required.

In addition, AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER designed the concert downlighting system that provides base illumination for each stage configuration.

Performance Sound, Video and Communication (SVC) System

The SVC system was designed to provide Zankel Hall with sound reinforcement for amplified events, performance video and technical backstage intercommunication. The system features a large-format fully digital sound mixing console, demountable loudspeaker arrays located to cover both the endstage and centerstage seating configurations, and the ability to create full surround sound effects within the Hall. In addition the system provides an assistive listening system for the hearing impaired, audience recall and latecomer video for public lobbies, as well as show program monitoring and paging capabilities to all backstage areas.

Distance Learning Systems

Distance learning and broadcast requirements are incorporated in the SVC system infrastructure in a seamless, fully integrated manner. This enables current and future distance learning simultaneously with off-site performance venues, as well as potential web casting.

AUERBACH GLASOW Press Release