11/13/2017 Auditorium | WBDG Whole Building Design Guide

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AUDITORIUM
by WBDG Staff (HTTPS://WWW.ADDTOANY.COM/SHARE#URL=HTTPS%3A%2F%2FWWW.WBDG.ORG%2FSPACE-TYPES%2FAUDITORIUM&TITLE=AUDITORIUM)
Updated:09-05-2016

OVERVIEW
The Auditorium space types are areas for large meetings, presentations, and performances. Auditorium space type
facilities may include assembly halls, exhibit halls, auditoriums, and theaters. Auditorium space types do not include WITHIN THIS PAGE
such features as sound reinforcement systems, audiovisual systems and projection screens, food service facilities Overview
(/space-types/food-service), proscenium stages with heights greater than 50'- 0" or y gallery, orchestra pits, Space Attributes
revolving or hydraulic stage platforms, ying balconies, movable seating, or billboard systems. Relevant Codes and Standards
Major Resources

SPACE ATTRIBUTES
Auditorium spaces are designed to accommodate large audiences. As such, they tend to have wide spans and are multiple-stories high in order to accommodate
seating, sightline, and acoustical requirements. Raised stage/dais oors and special lighting equipment are often required as well. Typical features of Auditorium space
types include the list of applicable design objectives elements as outlined below. For a complete list and de nitions of the design objectives within the context of whole
building design, click on the titles below.

FUNCTIONAL / OPERATIONAL (/DESIGN-OBJECTIVES/FUNCTIONAL-OPERATIONAL)

Sloped Floors:Sloped oors, with level terraces for each row of seating, help provide the proper sightlines from the audience to the stage. Note that the bottom
and intermediate rows should be directly accessible from entry levels to allow for Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and
Facilities (http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-sites/about-the-ada-standards/background/adaag) (ADAAG) compliant
accessible seating positions. See also WBDG Accessible (/design-objectives/accessible).

Fixed Seats:Typically, xed seats with tilting upholstered seat and back, integral arm and tablet arm are provided with articulated back for maximum occupant
passage space between rows. The seats may be fully upholstered or wood contoured outer back and seat shells with wood armrests with tablet arm option and
aisle light option at row ends. Seat number/row letters should be Americans with Disabilities Act (http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm) (ADA) compliant.
Wheelchair access option-removable seats in sections of two and accessible end chairs for mobility limited occupants should be provided. See also WBDG
Accessible (/design-objectives/accessible).

Special Lighting:Dramatic lighting systems include front lighting, foot lighting, spot lights, follow spot lights, beam lights, and ood lights, and a projection
room/booth with manual and programmable lighting controls, and space for the spot light operator space. Lighting systems should be exible to accommodate
various performance venues (e.g., lectures, plays, musical performances, etc.) in the Auditorium.

Occupancy:Occupancy Group Classi cation is Assembly A1 or A3 as per IBC, with sprinkler protected construction, and GSA Acoustical Class A space requiring
special acoustical design. See also WBDG Secure / SafeFire Protection (/design-objectives/secure-safe/ re-protection).

PRODUCTIVE (/DESIGN-OBJECTIVES/PRODUCTIVE)
Special Acoustical Design:Quality acoustical characteristics are important in Auditorium spaces so that performances and presentations can be clearly heard and
understood. For performance spaces and general presentation spaces, recommended noise criteria (NC) rating ranges from NC-20 to NC-30; recommended
sound transmission class (STC) rating ranges from STC 40 to STC 50. Strategies to achieve the recommended NC and STC ranges include, for example: Type II
vinyl wall covering and fabric covered acoustical wall panels for the interior wall nish in the auditorium; Type II vinyl wall covering for the stage area; Type II
vinyl wall coverings for 1/3 of the front of the orchestra (audience) sidewalls and fabric covered acoustical panels for 2/3 of the back of the orchestra (audience)
sidewalls; fabric covered acoustical panels for rear walls; and a plaster and plywood combinationbecause of their reverberation characteristicsfor the ceiling.
For more information, see WBDG ProductiveProvide Comfortable Environments (/design-objectives/productive/provide-comfortable-environments).

SUSTAINABLE (/DESIGN-OBJECTIVES/SUSTAINABLE)
Increased Cooling Capacity:Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for Auditorium spaces are sized and zoned to accommodate varying
internal loads, which are a function of audience sizes, performance lighting loads, and projection equipment. Particularly, air handling units (AHUs) with
increased cooling capacity should be zoned separately for the auditorium, lobby, projection spaces, stage areas, and audience seating areas. Also, the Auditorium
typically has a separate AHU constant volume with modulated temperature control for ventilation. For more information, see WBDG High-Performance HVAC
(/resources/high-performance-hvac>).

Raised Floor:The recommended system for distribution of HVAC in auditorium spaces is ducted supply through oor vents with ducted ceiling return air vents in
auditorium and lobby. In other spaces, ducted ceiling supply with return air ceiling plenum is recommended. Note that there should be transfer ducts at all
acoustically rated partitions.

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SECURE / SAFE (/DESIGN-OBJECTIVES/SECURE-SAFE)

Fire and Life Safety:Proper noti cation systems, lighting, and signage are required to facilitate safe and speedy evacuations during an emergency in the
Auditorium spaces. Step lights recessed into oor risers at each seating tier and wall mounted low light level sconce lights along side walls are typical. Sprinklers
should be provided per code and under stage platforms to suppress res. See also WBDG Secure / SafeOccupant Safety and Health (/design-
objectives/secure-safe/occupant-safety-health) and Secure / SafePlan for Fire Protection (/design-objectives/secure-safe/ re-protection).

EXAMPLE PROGRAM
The following building program is representative of Auditorium space types.

AUDITORIUM

DESCRIPTION QTY. SF EACH SPACE REQ'D. SUM ACTUAL SF TENANT USABLE FACTOR TENANT USF
TENANT OCCUPIABLE AREAS

Entrance 2,096

Lobby 1 1,500 1,500

Entrance Vestibules 1 96 96

Coat Check 1 150 150

Retail Area 1 200 200

Media Library 1 150 150

Main Auditorium 4,800

Seating (300 seats) 1 3,600 3,600

Stage 1 1,200 1,200

Support Spaces 1,300

Projection/Control Room 1 300 300

Equipment Storage 1 300 300

Rear Projection Room 1 400 400

Public Toilets (Male 1 120 120

Public Toilets (Female) 1 180 180

Tenant Suite 8,196 8,196 1.14 9,375

Tenant Usable Areas 18,750

EXAMPLE PLANS
The following diagram is representative of typical tenant plans.

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EXAMPLE CONSTRUCTION CRITERIA

For GSA, the unit costs for Auditorium space types are based on the construction quality and design features in the following table
(/FFC/GSA/gsa_constr_criteria_auditorium.pdf). This information is based on GSA's benchmark interpretation and could be different for other owners.

RELEVANT CODES AND STANDARDS

The following agencies and organizations have developed codes and standards affecting the design of Auditoriums. Note that the codes and standards are minimum
requirements. Architects, engineers, and consultants should consider exceeding the applicable requirements whenever possible.

Americans with Disabilities Act (http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm) (ADA)

Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-
sites/about-the-ada-standards/background/adaag) (ADAAG)

GSA PBS-P100 Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service (/ffc/gsa/criteria/pbs-p100)

International Building Code (http://www.iccsafe.org/codes-tech-support/codes/2015-i-codes/ibc/)

MAJOR RESOURCES
WBDG
BUILDING TYPES
Educational Facilities (/building-types/educational-facilities), Health Care Facilities (/building-types/health-care-facilities), Libraries (/building-types/libraries), Of ce
Building (/building-types/of ce-building), Research Facilities (/building-types/research-facilities)

DESIGN OBJECTIVES
ProductiveProvide Comfortable Environments (/design-objectives/productive/provide-comfortable-environments), Secure / SafePlan for Fire Protection (/design-
objectives/secure-safe/ re-protection), Secure / SafeOccupant Safety and Health (/design-objectives/secure-safe/occupant-safety-health)

BUILDING COMMISSIONING
Building Commissioning (/building-commissioning)

ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Acoustical Society of America (ASA) (http://asa.aip.org/)The Society is primarily a voluntary organization and attracts the interest, commitment, and service of
a large number of professionals. Their contributions in the formation, guidance, administration, and development of the ASA are largely responsible for its

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