ISSUE: 02
Welcome to “Building Together”, Wenger’s newsletter designed to support your expertise as architects in shaping exceptional spaces for music education, performing arts and athletics – whether new construction or renovation. For nearly 80 years, Wenger has collaborated closely with architects, sharing our passion on diverse and exciting projects that enrich lives by enabling and inspiring great performances.
PROJECT
PROFILE
Hemmle Hall at Texas Tech University,
Lubbock, Texas
A Showcase of Modern Acoustic Design
Following a two-year renovation, the 532- seat Hemmle Hall at Texas Tech University now combines state-of-the-art acoustics with sleek, contemporary aesthetics, thanks to a collaboration between Wenger Corporation, BRW Architects, and Kirkegaard acoustic consultants.
The hall’s design emphasizes adaptability, maintenance efficiency, and an elevated auditory experience. Among its standout features are Wenger’s custom Diva Acoustical Shell, Transform™ Motorized Acoustic Banners, and Cavea™ Fixed Audience Chairs.
Revolutionizing Acoustics
Kirkegaard’s acousticians worked with precision to ensure the space meets diverse performance needs. The Diva Acoustical Shell, designed to frame the grand 1964 Ballenger Holtkamp pipe organ, reflects sound with exceptional clarity. “The Diva towers and clouds form a sound-reflective shell that enhances nuanced sonic details while maintaining a warm bass response,” Kirkegaard explains.
Meanwhile, the Transform Motorized Acoustic Banners allow acoustic adjustments at the push of a button. “These banners let us tailor the space for different performance types, absorbing excessive reflections when needed,” notes Kirkegaard.
Audience Comfort Meets Durability
Wenger’s Cavea Fixed Audience Chairs offer ergonomic comfort and robust functionality in the new space. Their modular design streamlined the installation process. Key features include removable fabric covers, reinforced polypropylene components, and steel frames, ensuring the seating withstands heavy use while remaining easy to maintain.
An Acoustical Triumph
Kirkegaard describes the project as an “acoustical success,” balancing clarity and reverberation across various uses. Early feedback from performers and audiences alike has been overwhelmingly positive, affirming the hall’s place as a premier venue.
Hemmle Recital Hall demonstrates how thoughtful design and advanced technology can transform performance spaces, setting a new standard for functionality and artistry.
STAGE
VERSATILITY
Creating a seamless transition for your stage over your orchestra pit
Strata Pit Filler: A Smart Investment for Performance Spaces
In the world of school and professional performing arts spaces, designing a functional, safe, and adaptable stage is a priority. One of the most critical aspects of stage design is the orchestra pit, which must seamlessly transition between uses while ensuring performer safety. The STRATA® Orchestra Pit Filler by Wenger is a high-quality, customizable solution that provides a strong, stable, and quiet surface while maximizing the usable space beneath.
The Benefits of STRATA Pit Filler
- Enhanced Safety for Performers and Staff
- STRATA Pit Filler is designed to create a smooth, integrated surface that eliminates fall hazards. Its pre-assembled substructure components ensure a stable and durable surface, reducing the risk of injuries during performances and rehearsals.
- Additionally, the system meets IBC safety standards, supporting a uniform vertical load of 150 pounds psf and handling point loads of 500 pounds on a 2-inch caster without leaving permanent marks.
- Quick and Easy Installation
- Unlike traditional pit covers that require extensive setup time and heavy manual labor, STRATA Pit Filler can be installed quickly and easily by a small crew. Its pre-assembled components and intuitive design allow for a seamless setup, saving time and labor costs. For schools and performing arts centers with tight production schedules, this efficiency means faster transitions between different stage configurations
- Superior Acoustical Performance
- One of the common issues with orchestra pit covers is the “drumhead” effect—where a hollow pit space beneath the cover amplifies unwanted vibrations and noise. STRATA solves this issue with a honeycomb deck construction, which dampens vibrations and prevents sound from resonating through the surface. This feature is particularly valuable for schools and venues that host musical performances, ensuring that extraneous noise does not interfere with the performance taking place on stage.
- Maximizing Usable Space Below the Stage
- STRATA Pit Filler is uniquely designed with an open column-beam structure that creates significant space beneath the stage. Decks can be removed from the top (at stage level) for quick access to storage underneath. This allows for efficient use of space, providing storage for props, instruments, and other stage equipment when the pit filler is in place. This feature is especially beneficial for schools and theaters with limited backstage space, as it provides additional storage without requiring extensive modifications to the building.
Key Features of STRATA Pit Filler
- Custom Fit for Any Space
- Every STRATA Pit Filler is custom designed to fit the exact specifications of the individual orchestra pit, ensuring a perfect match with the stage. This is crucial for architects who need to accommodate unique stage layouts in atypical venues, or when restoring a historic space.
- Durable, High-Quality Materials
- STRATA Pit Filler is constructed using glass-filled nylon deck corners, which eliminate sharp edges and enhance durability. The deck surface options include:
• Natural or painted tempered hardboard
• Custom, project-specific surfaces to match stage flooring
- STRATA Pit Filler is constructed using glass-filled nylon deck corners, which eliminate sharp edges and enhance durability. The deck surface options include:
- Cost-Effective Alternative to Hydraulic Lifts
- Many venues consider installing a hydraulic lift system for their orchestra pit, but these systems are expensive, require significant maintenance, and involve complex mechanical components. The STRATA Pit Filler provides a much more affordable and low-maintenance alternative.
- Long-Term Durability and Low Maintenance
- The materials used in the STRATA Pit Filler are designed to last, reducing long-term maintenance costs. The durable aluminum bracing ensures structural integrity for years, making it an excellent long-term investment for schools and performance venues.
For schools, colleges, and professional performing arts spaces, the STRATA Orchestra Pit Filler is an essential investment that provides safety, durability, and flexibility. By incorporating the STRATA Pit Filler into your design plans, you can create a safer, more functional, and highly adaptable performance space that meets the needs of both students and professionals.
For more information, visit Wenger Corporation.
STRATA® Orchestra Pit Filler at Tyler Junior College, Tyler, Texas
IN THE
FIELD
Trending topics for architects
Performing Arts Venues
Architect Oscar Niemeyer’s modern masterpiece, the Araras State Theater in Brazil
Inaugurated in 1991, the Maestro Francisco Paulo Russo State Theater in Araras is considered one of the city’s and the region’s main cultural venues. Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, one of the leading figures of the Modern Movement, the theater was equipped with all the necessary infrastructure to host local, national, and international cultural events between 1995 and 2005. Niemeyer left behind a legacy in which his signature free-form architectural style integrates influences from various sources while also engaging in a dialogue with the identity of a tropical country. (Read more in Arch Daily.)
Phased Modernizations in K-12 Education
The school recognized as the first modernist school in the nation undergoes a renovation
Crow Island School, in the North Shore Chicago suburb of Winnetka, is typically regarded as the first modernist school in the nation. Now, it is undergoing an exacting renovation and addition that will allow it to function as its original designers intended and will continue its legacy as a school grounded in creative exploration. (Read more in the Architect’s Newspaper.)
