USC – Thornton School of Music

Description

USC Thornton School of Music
Orchestra Rehearsal Room – CSS 138A

Upon inheriting the 3,800 sqft Harold Lloyd Motion Picture Sound Stage from the university’s film school, USC’s Thornton School of Music (TSOM) sought to create a space for orchestral classes and practice.  Consulting with Kirkegaard Associates (KA) for acoustic strategies, and Diana Wong Associates for design concepts, TSOM developed a plan for maximizing the acoustic qualities of the space.

Elaborating on the initial design concepts, LAWRL worked closely with KA and TSOM to design and develop a flexible space, providing optimal isolation and reverberation times for a multitude of orchestra configurations, as well as percussion and wind ensembles, master classes and lectures, and informal recitals.  It sets a standard as one of the finest orchestra rehearsal halls at comparable higher education institutions

The Orchestra Rehearsal Room is also designed for the future integration of a high-quality recording and A/V system that will include flexible recording for all types of ensembles, a video screen with dedicated sound, cameras that record the movements and posture of conductors and musicians alike, and flexible playback points around the entire room.  The flexible integration of the recording and playback system’s components provides TSOM with the ability to produce high-quality recordings of all composition styles that might be performed within the space.

Location

Los Angeles, CA

User Group

University of Southern California, Capital Construction Development

Client

University of Southern California, Thorton School of Music

Cost & Scope

$1.4 million total bid price; 3,510 sq. ft.
tenant improvement (major acoustic improvement,
lighting, HVAC systems and new AV systems)

Key Personnel

Duane Palin, LAWRL Design – Mechanical Engineer
Robert Smolinski, LAWRL Design – Electrical Engineer
Jim Liu, LAWRL Design – Structural Engineer
Joseph Myers, Kiregaard Associates – Acoustician & AV consultant
Tom Stekek, Vancrest Construction – General Contractor