The Boston Phoenix calls it "one of the country's most beautiful halls". This 330-seat concert hall is one of New England's architectural marvels. From the view of the sea behind the stage to the unusual use of construction materials, this collaboration between lead architects, Alan Joslin and Deborah Epstein (Epstein Joslin Architects, Cambridge, MA) and internationally known acoustician, R. Lawrence Kirkegaard (Kirkegaard Associates, Chicago, IL) has produced brilliant acoustics and outstanding sound quality.
The ADTECH design team worked closely with the acoustician and architect to insure that the sound and video systems for this critical listening environment were on par with its exceptional surroundings. From the placement of the main loudspeakers to the customized control interface, all details were carefully examined. The versatile sound system allows for minimal sound reinforcement for an acoustic performance, complex setups for large ensembles, and provides a complete surround sound system for video presentations, such as the live Metropolitan Opera broadcasts regularly hosted by Rockport Music.
One challenging aspect of the system was placement of the main center speakers. These speakers had to be placed in fixed holes that were in the ceiling above the stage, with limited space above the ceiling. By working with the rigging manufacturer, the ADTECH engineering staff was able to model the geometry in AutoCAD and come up with a workable solution.
Other challenges included the engineering of a microphone pulley system, technical coordination with the electrical contractor for routing the more than one mile of conduits for A/V cabling, and design of the satellite TV dish mounting system.