A new HS theatre under construction

epimetheus said:

Gotcha. There's definitely an art to precast construction. It's things like this where you have to rely on your precast vendor and experienced construction forces for constructibility and it's influence on design.

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The frustrating thing about this is the next CM or GC might feel as strongly about the opposite view - no cutting on site. It doesn't have a major influence on design but I do try to plan based on what I have learned from the workers on site - riggers, electricians, and all the others. But the preferences and certainties vary a lot, so hard know. And that conflict is even larger in rigging between the installer and the shop people - drafter and estimator. I try to listen to the installer and make the case with the factory since the success of the design is dependent on the installer. Intehend, there is seldom one "right" or "best" way and with design-bid-build delivery, you don't know preferences till after its under contract and hard to change. (And then since the theatre equipment is generally towards the end of construction, all the contingency money has been spent, so better not need anything not already under contract.)

@BillConnerFASTC Do you have higher resolutions of the plans posted in the other thread? The text is kinda blurry. I'd also like to see the AV Drawings referenced, is there anything special/unique about the theatre?

I have the entire CD set, but don't feel I should share other than mine, and I don't do AV. Contact me -www.bcaworld.com - and I'll share the pdfs of my drawings.

I don't know what you would consider special but the side galleries in auditorium seem a little unique to me for a high school. Full orch pit, 30 some linesets, motorized electrics and shell, all LED lighting, 50 ft stage - nothing special except a lot of high schools - a majority of the near 35,000+ high schools in USA - don't have a lot of those.

Most unique - not over budget on bid day. That's rare these days.

Progress shots courtesy of and with permission of the superintendent.

You can see the opening to the loading bridge has been cut, side (stageright) and forestage catwalk framing commenced, "cheek" walls almost complete (they get veneered with brick) and the balcony and side galleries in place. The flat area between the upper level and balcony rail will be built up with geofoam and then concrete topping for the balcony risers with costume storage under.

Two more photos from stage.

Nice curves, Bill!

Ok now I am curious about some construction equipment I don’t recognize. In the wide view of the stage from the balcony, on the right side, there seems to be some sort of self climbing work platform, supported only by a single column. I think I see the same on the left side but the platform has been lowered so only the column is clearly seen. It all looks to be involved with laying the brick facing Just what is that called?

@venuetech That's a mast climbing work platform. They're pretty common in commercial construction and high-rise work because they're much easier to set up than scaffold towers and carry heavier loads.

One "new" to me thing was they poured a complete slab below the lowest part of seating bowl to work. I'm accustomed to seeing gravel and sloped slab last, or sloped slab and gravel on top to provide level area for lifts and such, but this was new to me.

Are they going to build that entire sloped slab up from concrete or are they going to lay something down like rigid foam blocks and pour over that?

I don't really know but I presume compacted fill and 4" slab on that. I think they plan to ask for permission to leave the temporary slab, but I don't know if the fill under it was reviewed. On the other hand, with all those boom lifts running around on it - I sure wouldn't give leaving it a second thought. But I'm not the registered professional responsible for that bit.

Progress. Google photos was so kind to make an "album" so going to try sharing by link, rather than download, resize, and post - all of which I'm not good at.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mYFitT3M7F1L4B3v9

BillConnerFASTC said:

Progress. Google photos was so kind to make an "album" so going to try sharing by link, rather than download, resize, and post - all of which I'm not good at.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mYFitT3M7F1L4B3v9

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Geez, what a luxurious place, you’ve got a real countertop for the consoles in the booth !. We had 2 of our 3 booths built with no counters. The Arch. and/or consultant forgot them. We are still on folding tables 11 mos. later.

Unbelievable for a H.S.! But it looks a little short of fly space--couldn't they afford another 20' and a grid? And what looks like a concave curved house rear wall will be fun for the sound guys.

The first foot over 50 is over half a million, so no they couldn't afford another 20. High trim is around 45+'. How tall a drop or scenic piece do they need to fly to justify that cost? And they can reach every lift block from the catwalks over stage so while a grid is desirable, I think the extra 7' of high trim is more desirable.
There are reverse scallops across the rear wall, and a curtain when they need much sound system. The priority is natural acoustics for music. Speech events, film, the annual musical, and the infrequent be amplified music can have a soft rear wall if desired.

So what is the rigging plan for this space? It looks like there might be space for a loading rail up in the catwalks, but it didn't look like there was much space for a full manual counterweight system on the deck. Is it planned to be all automated?

BillConnerFASTC said:

The first foot over 50 is over half a million, so no they couldn't afford another 20. High trim is around 45+'. How tall a drop or scenic piece do they need to fly to justify that cost? And they can reach every lift block from the catwalks over stage so while a grid is desirable, I think the extra 7' of high trim is more desirable.
There are reverse scallops across the rear wall, and a curtain when they need much sound system. The priority is natural acoustics for music. Speech events, film, the annual musical, and the infrequent be amplified music can have a soft rear wall if desired.

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@BillConnerFASTC Who were your architectural-acoustic and electro-acoustic consultants??
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard

Speaking of New construction... Went to a Job site yesterday for a coordination meeting. We're supposed to be onsite next week to Field measure the space.

cbrandt said:

So what is the rigging plan for this space? It looks like there might be space for a loading rail up in the catwalks, but it didn't look like there was much space for a full manual counterweight system on the deck. Is it planned to be all automated?

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This should answer that. 39 linesets - 7 of which are motorized (3 shells and 4 electrics). There is a rigging pit (picture between orchestra pit and electrical panel room) with lockrail at stage level.

RonHebbard said:

@BillConnerFASTC Who were your architectural-acoustic and electro-acoustic consultants??
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard

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Stan Roller Associates provides both.