AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, NEW YORK, NY AND MINNEAPOLIS, MN – (April 26, 2010) – Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, Performing Arts/Media Facilities Planning and Design, announces the completion of their theatre design and consulting work on three venues at Las Vegas CityCenter’s ARIA Resort & Casino: Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil®, the ARIA Convention Center and the Haze Nightclub. Auerbach Glasow French, Architectural Lighting Design, provided Architectural Lighting Design for the Viva ELVIS™ auditorium interior and related public spaces.

The ARIA Resort & Casino is the centerpiece of CityCenter, the largest privately funded development in the United States. CityCenter brought together exciting elements of design and entertainment and the firm’s team of designers is proud to have been part of such important venues within this ground-breaking urban development.

CityCenter is the world’s largest Green complex, achieving LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The ARIA Resort & Casino is the world’s largest hotel to achieve a LEED Gold rating.

Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil®
The 1,840-seat theatre for Viva ELVIS™ is the seventh permanent venue in Las Vegas for Cirque du Soleil®. The new structure, integrated within the ARIA Resort & Casino was specifically designed to accommodate the design and production requirements by Cirque du Soleil for the production of Viva ELVIS. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander’s collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, the MGM MIRAGE Design Group and architects Pelli Clarke Pelli, Gensler and HKS, Inc. enabled the design and development of the technically-advanced theatrical systems to be carefully integrated with the building, supporting the show’s unique performance requirements.

“From day one Auerbach was involved in the design of the Elvis Theater; they understood our process and they knew where we wanted to end,” said Stéphane Mongeau, Executive Producer of Viva ELVIS™. “They have been instrumental in the design and development of the ELVIS Theater."

Auerbach Pollock Friedlander collaborated in the implementation of Cirque du Soleil’s theatre concept by Johnny Boivin and on the development of the theatrical systems to support the production, including the development of Cirque du Soleil’s criteria for the audience areas and the technical systems such as stage machinery and its rigging and automation, the theatrical lighting control and the audio-video systems.

The show takes place on one of the largest proscenium stages in North America, conceived as a large cruciform stage with rear and side stages that are the full height of the 104 foot high grid. The stage was conceived in anticipation of the spectacular designs of Cirque’s production by Mark Fisher. As the production evolved the provision for extensive flexibility was realized in an array of 17 stage lifts, performer lifts and “sloats”. The aerial acrobatics, designed by Guy St-Amour, were facilitated by an overhead track and trolley system with multiple performer winches that travel horizontally and vertically at high speed enabling a dynamic aerial ballet of acrobatics. All of the motorized overhead rigging and stage machinery is controlled by an integrated automation system that enables safe and three-dimensionally choreographed acrobatic and scenic moves. The performance sound system was designed to meet the creative demands of the presentation of the music by Cirque’s sound designer, Jonathan Deans. The design of the lighting system follows the intent of designer marc brickman’s approach to a syncopated lighting dynamic.

In addition to the design and specification of the theatrical systems, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander also managed the facilitation of the theatrical contractor’s work during the construction process."Auerbach Pollock Friedlander provided a full range of technical and design expertise throughout the design and construction of the ELVIS Theater. They worked with us as true partners to achieve our goals for the theater and the highly complex theatrical systems that make up the backbone of Viva ELVIS!" said Ray Forton, Theater Projects Administrator for Cirque du Soleil.Auerbach Glasow French provided architectural lighting design for the theatre interior and related public spaces working closely with the MGM MIRAGE Design Group, HKS, Inc., interior designer Cleo Design and Cirque du Soleil designers to capture the vibrant feeling of the ELVIS show through the architectural lighting. The lighting for the public space foretells the opulence that is awaiting the audience inside the theatre and the Cirque experience begins as soon as you approach the lobby where patrons are surrounded by color and
movement which intensifies as show time draws near. The feeling in the lobby carries through to the theatre and is expressed again in the audience chamber as the show begins. The vibrant, kinetic, colored lighting is another player in the world of Cirque du Soleil.Viva ELVIS opened February 19, 2010.

Convention Center
Just past the theatre is the 300,000-square-foot, three level convention center. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander joined the Convention Center project team in mid-2006. These meeting facilities are intended to support events ranging from the most basic meetings to awards shows and live televised pay-per-view athletic events.Auerbach Pollock Friedlander’s work included planning and design of the theatrical and event services elements of the facility, development of the ballroom and meeting room rigging concept, and design of the theatrical systems including the ballroom stage rigging systems and the theatrical and architectural lighting control systems serving the public spaces.At the ballroom stages, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander proposed the use of automated rigging in place of a conventional double-purchase counterweight scheme. The automated rigging allows for significantly reduced load to building structure and results in more efficient use of the limited stage floor area and provides ongoing savings in turnover time and staffing.In support of sustainable design and the project’s value engineering objectives, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander proposed an Ethernet-based transport scheme for the theatrical and architectural lighting control signals. The ARIA Convention Center opened in December 2009.

The ARIA Convention Center has been awarded LEED Gold Certified status by the U. S. Green Building Council.

Haze Nightclub
The cutting-edge, 25,000 square foot Haze Nightclub is the feature nightspot for the 67-acre development located between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts and is operated by The Light Group.

Auerbach Pollock Friedlander provided theatre consulting for the performance lighting and rigging, collaborating with HKS, Inc., Gensler, John Lyons Systems and the MGM MIRAGE Design Group on the design of the nightclub and performance systems. The firm advised on adapting the initial audience experience design concepts developed by I©RAVE into performance systems that would provide a virtual toolbox of room modes and looks to continuously change the scale and feel of the dance floor to match the highly fluid nightly program.

“The concept of Haze Nightclub was really foremost based on the theatrical and audio-visual experience, rather than it being added as a secondary element to the design” W. Sidney Pemberton, Design Project Manager for Gensler, explained. “Because of that, Haze delivers a unique and evolving environment filled with sights and sounds that set it apart from the other nightclubs in Las Vegas. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander and John Lyons Systems did an amazing job of delivering a theatrical and audio-visual design from the latest technology that complements the design team’s vision of what a truly dynamic nightclub experience Haze would be. Haze continues to be the talk of the town for Las Vegas nightlife entertainment.”

Working with the design team, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander developed a performance lighting system integrated into the fixed architectural lighting, allowing for unified control of all lighting within public spaces. A distributed fog and haze atmospheric effects system highlights the overhead fixed and moving head lighting fixtures above the dance floor. Almost 200 LED color-mixing fixtures line the rear “wall of light” at the dance floor providing dramatic multi-color lighting effects that wash the entire nightclub and accentuate a performance catwalk for performer and patron dancing high above the main floor.

The centerpiece of the nightclub is a series of articulating truss units above the dance floor populated with performance lighting equipment. Each truss unit has independent height, pitch and roll adjustment that allows the ceiling to appear to change the volume and profile of the area around the dance floor and create spectacular visual effects for the patrons below. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander collaborated with the design team to develop a system that would allow for fast and dynamic changes to the ceiling trusses while assuring patron and staff safety.

The Haze Nightclub opened in December 2009.

Viva ELVIS™ photograph: © Julie Aucoin / Theatre and interior design concepts created by Cirque du Soleil™, implemented by HKS Architects. Set design by Mark Fisher.

Convention Center and Haze Nightclub photographs: © Courtesy of CityCenter.


	AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER \| AUERBACH GLASOW FRENCH COMPLETE DESIGN AND CONSULTING SERVICES ON VIVA ELVIS™ BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL®, THE CONVENTION CENTER AND HAZE NIGHTCLUB AT CITYCENTER’S ARIA RESORT & CASINO, LAS VEGAS SAN FRANCISCO, CA, NEW YORK, NY AND MINNEAPOLIS, MN – (April 26, 2010) – Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, Performing Arts/Media Facilities Planning and Design, announces the completion of their theatre design and consulting work on three venues at Las Vegas CityCenter’s ARIA Resort & Casino: Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil®, the ARIA Convention Center and the Haze Nightclub. Auerbach Glasow French, Architectural Lighting Design, provided Architectural Lighting Design for the Viva ELVIS™ auditorium interior and related public spaces. The ARIA Resort & Casino is the centerpiece of CityCenter, the largest privately funded development in the United States. CityCenter brought together exciting elements of design and entertainment and the firm’s team of designers is proud to have been part of such important venues within this ground-breaking urban development. CityCenter is the world’s largest Green complex, achieving LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The ARIA Resort & Casino is the world’s largest hotel to achieve a LEED Gold rating. *Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil®* The 1,840-seat theatre for Viva ELVIS™ is the seventh permanent venue in Las Vegas for Cirque du Soleil®. The new structure, integrated within the ARIA Resort & Casino was specifically designed to accommodate the design and production requirements by Cirque du Soleil for the production of Viva ELVIS. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander’s collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, the MGM MIRAGE Design Group and architects Pelli Clarke Pelli, Gensler and HKS, Inc. enabled the design and development of the technically-advanced theatrical systems to be carefully integrated with the building, supporting the show’s unique performance requirements. “From day one Auerbach was involved in the design of the Elvis Theater; they understood our process and they knew where we wanted to end,” said Stéphane Mongeau, Executive Producer of Viva ELVIS™. “They have been instrumental in the design and development of the ELVIS Theater." Auerbach Pollock Friedlander collaborated in the implementation of Cirque du Soleil’s theatre concept by Johnny Boivin and on the development of the theatrical systems to support the production, including the development of Cirque du Soleil’s criteria for the audience areas and the technical systems such as stage machinery and its rigging and automation, the theatrical lighting control and the audio-video systems. The show takes place on one of the largest proscenium stages in North America, conceived as a large cruciform stage with rear and side stages that are the full height of the 104 foot high grid. The stage was conceived in anticipation of the spectacular designs of Cirque’s production by Mark Fisher. As the production evolved the provision for extensive flexibility was realized in an array of 17 stage lifts, performer lifts and “sloats”. The aerial acrobatics, designed by Guy St-Amour, were facilitated by an overhead track and trolley system with multiple performer winches that travel horizontally and vertically at high speed enabling a dynamic aerial ballet of acrobatics. All of the motorized overhead rigging and stage machinery is controlled by an integrated automation system that enables safe and three-dimensionally choreographed acrobatic and scenic moves. The performance sound system was designed to meet the creative demands of the presentation of the music by Cirque’s sound designer, Jonathan Deans. The design of the lighting system follows the intent of designer marc brickman’s approach to a syncopated lighting dynamic. In addition to the design and specification of the theatrical systems, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander also managed the facilitation of the theatrical contractor’s work during the construction process."Auerbach Pollock Friedlander provided a full range of technical and design expertise throughout the design and construction of the ELVIS Theater. They worked with us as true partners to achieve our goals for the theater and the highly complex theatrical systems that make up the backbone of Viva ELVIS!" said Ray Forton, Theater Projects Administrator for Cirque du Soleil.Auerbach Glasow French provided architectural lighting design for the theatre interior and related public spaces working closely with the MGM MIRAGE Design Group, HKS, Inc., interior designer Cleo Design and Cirque du Soleil designers to capture the vibrant feeling of the ELVIS show through the architectural lighting. The lighting for the public space foretells the opulence that is awaiting the audience inside the theatre and the Cirque experience begins as soon as you approach the lobby where patrons are surrounded by color and movement which intensifies as show time draws near. The feeling in the lobby carries through to the theatre and is expressed again in the audience chamber as the show begins. The vibrant, kinetic, colored lighting is another player in the world of Cirque du Soleil.Viva ELVIS opened February 19, 2010. Convention Center Just past the theatre is the 300,000-square-foot, three level convention center. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander joined the Convention Center project team in mid-2006. These meeting facilities are intended to support events ranging from the most basic meetings to awards shows and live televised pay-per-view athletic events.Auerbach Pollock Friedlander’s work included planning and design of the theatrical and event services elements of the facility, development of the ballroom and meeting room rigging concept, and design of the theatrical systems including the ballroom stage rigging systems and the theatrical and architectural lighting control systems serving the public spaces.At the ballroom stages, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander proposed the use of automated rigging in place of a conventional double-purchase counterweight scheme. The automated rigging allows for significantly reduced load to building structure and results in more efficient use of the limited stage floor area and provides ongoing savings in turnover time and staffing.In support of sustainable design and the project’s value engineering objectives, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander proposed an Ethernet-based transport scheme for the theatrical and architectural lighting control signals. The ARIA Convention Center opened in December 2009. The ARIA Convention Center has been awarded LEED Gold Certified status by the U. S. Green Building Council. Haze Nightclub The cutting-edge, 25,000 square foot Haze Nightclub is the feature nightspot for the 67-acre development located between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts and is operated by The Light Group. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander provided theatre consulting for the performance lighting and rigging, collaborating with HKS, Inc., Gensler, John Lyons Systems and the MGM MIRAGE Design Group on the design of the nightclub and performance systems. The firm advised on adapting the initial audience experience design concepts developed by I©RAVE into performance systems that would provide a virtual toolbox of room modes and looks to continuously change the scale and feel of the dance floor to match the highly fluid nightly program. “The concept of Haze Nightclub was really foremost based on the theatrical and audio-visual experience, rather than it being added as a secondary element to the design” W. Sidney Pemberton, Design Project Manager for Gensler, explained. “Because of that, Haze delivers a unique and evolving environment filled with sights and sounds that set it apart from the other nightclubs in Las Vegas. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander and John Lyons Systems did an amazing job of delivering a theatrical and audio-visual design from the latest technology that complements the design team’s vision of what a truly dynamic nightclub experience Haze would be. Haze continues to be the talk of the town for Las Vegas nightlife entertainment.” Working with the design team, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander developed a performance lighting system integrated into the fixed architectural lighting, allowing for unified control of all lighting within public spaces. A distributed fog and haze atmospheric effects system highlights the overhead fixed and moving head lighting fixtures above the dance floor. Almost 200 LED color-mixing fixtures line the rear “wall of light” at the dance floor providing dramatic multi-color lighting effects that wash the entire nightclub and accentuate a performance catwalk for performer and patron dancing high above the main floor. The centerpiece of the nightclub is a series of articulating truss units above the dance floor populated with performance lighting equipment. Each truss unit has independent height, pitch and roll adjustment that allows the ceiling to appear to change the volume and profile of the area around the dance floor and create spectacular visual effects for the patrons below. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander collaborated with the design team to develop a system that would allow for fast and dynamic changes to the ceiling trusses while assuring patron and staff safety. The Haze Nightclub opened in December 2009. Viva ELVIS™ photograph: © Julie Aucoin / Theatre and interior design concepts created by Cirque du Soleil™, implemented by HKS Architects. Set design by Mark Fisher. Convention Center and Haze Nightclub photographs: © Courtesy of CityCenter.