Renovation of Conmy Hall garners Award from Associated General Contractors of America
July 7, 2007
Recently honored by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) for project uniqueness, innovation in construction techniques and owner satisfaction, the renovation of Fort Myer’s Conmy Hall has met with considerable success.
Originally built in 1934 as an indoor equestrian facility, it has been in use as the U.S. Army’s principal performance center. Conmy Hall has a 100′ x 200′ ceremony floor and boasts seating for 1200. Home to members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry and known as the “Old Guard”, soldiers, Fife and Drum Corps members and brass bands execute with impeccable precision, presidential functions and military ceremonies on-site and throughout the nation’s capital.
Such precision was honored and reciprocated by members of Conmy Hall’s design team members,: architectural acoustics consulting company, Kirkegaard Associates; Baltimore based design architect, ABA Architects.; and Washington DC contractor, John C. Grimberg Company.
Throughout the renovation and with an understanding of the tradition ingrained in this loved venue the design team replaced floors, walls, ceilings, windows and doors, installed a dynamic audio video system and produced a superior lighting system. The performance space design consists of canvas reflectors positioned just below the ceiling which is effective in providing feedback to band members and also allows a strong early reflection of the sound back to the audience.
The audio system design includes large self-powered loudspeakers to serve all of the audience zones and to provide speech intelligibility for the hundreds of ceremonies scheduled each year. In addition, a central cable plant permits the hall to be used in a wide range of configurations, and supports the use of remote broadcast and recording trucks.
Kirkegaard Associates is one of the world’s leading acoustics design firms providing comprehensive consulting services for clients seeking the highest quality listening environments. The firm consists of 28 individuals offering experience in architectural acoustics, audio/video systems design; electronic media technology, and mechanical noise and vibration control. The company has earned a reputation for excellence in the design of more than 2,500 successful projects which include: theatres, concert halls, opera houses, educational institutions, worship spaces, recording and broadcast studios, and many other acoustically sensitive environments in North and South America, Europe, the Far East and Australia.