Brigham Young University, BYU-Idaho Center Auditorium and HDTV Broadcast Center

Auerbach Pollock Friedlander provided programming, planning, full-scope theatre and audio-video consulting services for the 15,000-seat auditorium and BYU Television broadcast studios at the BYU-Idaho Center. As one of the largest production theatres in North America, the hall was built for the primary purpose of supporting weekly student devotional services, many of which are broadcast worldwide. The space can seat the entire student body at events featuring guest speakers, performing arts programming or commencement exercises. The Center’s 7,500-square-foot stage has a fully-rigged and automated fly system. In all, over 60 mechanized hoists above the stage and forestage gridirons accommodate the basic setup modes for devotionals and live theatrical events with minimal labor requirements for changeover. The stage may be reconfigured with respect to height and shape as over 50% of the core area consists of variable height platforming. As with its 20,000-seat sister facility – the LDS Conference Center at Temple Square – the BYU-Idaho Center has a remarkably intimate quality despite its size. A primary focus on comfortable egress/seating, sightlines, audio reinforcement and massive rear projection imaging systems make for a thoroughly comfortable viewing experience. Simple, clean finishes, a black-out ceiling with exposed catwalk infrastructure and a forestage grid further enhance the experience, providing true theatrical support for the most complex events.

Architect: FFKR Architects
Acoustics: D.L. Adams Associates
Size: 435,000 SF
Completion: 2010