The University of Rochester’s Audio, Music, and Engineering Program, which includes Grammy and Emmy award-winning engineers, has been growing in popularity but needed a larger, centralized space for its increasing enrollment. The existing spaces lacked acoustic performance qualities, acoustic isolation, and necessary technology for students and faculty. It has now found a home on the third floor of Gavett Hall, originally constructed in 1929.
“This project was an exciting design opportunity for SWBR, Bergmann, and AVL Design,” said Project Manager Kristin Purdy, AIA. “We took the third floor of an existing Depression-era building with a low structural system capacity and renovated it into a state-of-the-art audio, music, and engineering suite with superior horizontal and vertical acoustic separation qualities.”
The innovative acoustical slab design was accommodated by navigating navigate floor elevation changes in the main corridor while also complying with ADA requirements. Aesthetically, the design team transformed the often-forgotten existing study spaces into a “moody” and creative environment for both students and faculty.
The Gavett Hall Audio, Music, and Engineering Suite provides the program a new Control Room, Live Studio, and four Mix Rooms of superior acoustic performance.