California State University, Northridge, Valley Performing Arts Center

Auerbach Pollock Friedlander collaborated with HGA Architects and Engineers on the programming, planning, design and construction phases for the Valley Performing Arts Center in the San Fernando Valley.

The five-story U-shaped building features a central courtyard and is designed to support the university’s academic and cultural program, national and international touring groups, and the broader community including the Los Angeles film industry. The firm provided full-scope theatre consulting services for the multi-use complex which includes the Great Hall – a 1,700-seat theatre, a 232-seat lecture hall, a 178-seat flexible experimental theatre, classrooms, rehearsal and event spaces and costume and scene shops. The Great Hall features an extensive variable acoustics system and a customized orchestra shell conceived and designed in collaboration with McKay Conant Hoover acousticians and the architect. The variable acoustic system allows the room to be configured for events from film to orchestra at the push of a button with dozens of computer controlled motorized devices invisible to the audience.

The large orchestra shell was designed for quick change over and can be deployed or stored in less than an hour. With sustainability as a key design goal, the resource-efficient building has been certified LEED Gold.

Architect: HGA Architects
Acoustics: McKay Conant Hoover, Inc.
Size: 163,000 SF
Cost: $98,000,000
Completion: 2011