• Rensselaer Polytechnic’s new Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) — Arts, Science, Technology, Research, Virtual Reality – all under one roof

• August 9, 2008

Overlooking the Hudson River and the glorious countryside of upstate New York, the new Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) at Renselaer Polytechnic Institute, stands stately and tall while preparations take place for its October 3 –19, 2008, Grand Opening. An unusually long period one might think, but necessary to display the strengths and diversity of this extraordinary space.

Located in Troy, New York, this new state-of-the-art venue transcends all that has gone before and will provide the quintessential stage for future melding and exploration of the arts, science, technology, virtual reality, research and multi-media technologies. Known worldwide for superior academic research capabilities and an institutional hunger to forge new pathways, with EMPAC’s numerous dynamic spaces now under one roof, the Institute is poised to “free” talented students, sustain exceptional faculty and above all… delve into uncharted territories.

Designed by British architect, Nicholas Grimshaw Partners; New York architect of record, Davis Brody Bond; Chicago-based acoustics consulting firm Kirkegaard Associates (KA); and New York theatre consulting company, Fisher Dachs, collaborated closely with EMPAC and community leaders to create state-of-the-art venues that can only be defined as a first.

The spaces are many, and include: a 1,200-seat concert hall placed gently into a cedar-planked structure resembling the hull of a massive ship; two multi-media studios; and a 400-seat theatre. Kirkegaard’s consulting role included extensive planning of the audio/video infrastructure enabling the connection of a wide range of equipment. In addition, acoustic recommendations were made concerning surfaces and materials to be utilized in these computer driven environments, some of which will be capable of delivering electrifying performances and presentations utilizing 3-D video installations; immersive activities using 360 degree screens; interactive video game engines, robotics and more.

CONCERT HALL: 1,200-seats. The concert hall achieves aural success in part through the interaction between volume and a fabric canopy made of NOMEX fiber which was developed to cover the entire ceiling. This canopy allows for the balanced reflection of mid- and high-frequencies, while allowing the lower frequencies to partially “flow” through the fabric. With this innovative feature, the hall’s concave walls, diffusive surfaces and adjustable absorptive banners, audience members will be able to experience just the right amount of reverberation, feel closer to the performances, while the musicians have the luxury of hearing one another on stage.

Members of Kirkegaard Associates’ project team were: Larry Kirkegaard, President and Principal Acoustician; Louie Sunga, Project Manager, Architectural Integration and Room Acoustics; Zackery Belanger, Science, Testing and Research Consultant; and Shimby McCreery, Room Acoustics. Senior Consultant, Terry Tyson, held responsibility for mechanical noise and vibration control, and Senior Consultant, Jonathan Darling, led the efforts of the audio/video team’s initial infrastructure and power design. It is also noted that the majority of Kirkegaard’s current staff contributed substantial “behind the scenes” support throughout the length of this project.

If you would like to learn more about the acoustics in the EMPAC Concert Hall please read the PDF.