A 1920s livestock judging pavilion on the LSU campus became a unique
working theater for the university and the home of Swine Palace Productions, a professional theater company founded by a former director for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Re-raked seating banks flank a 40 by 120 foot stage that can accommodate epically-
scaled events. The cavernous space required both architectural and electronic approaches to
acoustics. The room is narrowed by technical galleries behind the
seating, and echoes
from wall and ceiling surfaces were addressed with surface treatments and
suspended canvas
reflectors. Two distinct electronic systems can be used to augment performers
voices and accommodate
occasional orchestral events. A matrixed audio system can be steered in
real time to follow
performers' movements, preserving directional realism while an electronic enhancement
system increases reverberation for music and can also be used for theatrical effects.
Download Full Description - US | A4
Client: Louisiana State University
Tenants: LSU Theater Department,
Swine Palace Productions
Architect and Photos provided by: Robert M. Coleman and Partners
Acoustics Consultant: Kirkegaard Associates
