Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 2021 - 53

the extended low-frequency noise contribution of aircraft, traffic, or even large
roof-top equipment. The OITC better addresses low-frequency noise impacts and
is the more applicable sound rating for
roof-mounted automatic smoke vents, "
he explained.
Architects also had to be concerned
with designing a building that kept residents safe. The safety of the occupants
of the building's Premiere Residences,
located above the New Brunswick
Performing Arts Center and including an
impressive range of amenities-a rooftop
pool, fitness center, demonstration kitchen, karaoke room, residents' lounge and
co-working, and private meeting rooms-
was a critical consideration for the team.
" DeSimone Engineering, the structural
engineer on the project, designed transfer girders and thickened slabs in the
concrete structure that redirected the

The project includes acoustical roof hatches manufactured by The BILCO Company, which limit noise
intrusion while also allowing for the release of smoke, heat, and gases in a burning building. | Courtesy of
Elkus Manfredi Architects.

tower loads, " Goetze says. " They also designed large transfer trusses for the steel
structure to keep the audience spaces in
the theatres column-free. "
" We weren't breaking new ground, "
Christopher Paladino, president of the
New Brunswick Development Corp.,
which spearheaded the project, says
about including residences over the theatres. He cited The Museum of Modern
Art in New York and even Carnegie Hall,
which also had resident apartments at
one time. " Residential units ended up
making the most sense from a design
standpoint, because we built the tower
over the lobby and the rehearsal spaces. "

Rigging and Air Safety

PROJECT AT A GLANCE
What and where:
New Brunswick Performing Arts
Center, New Brunswick, N.J.
Project cost: $172 million
Opened: September 2019
Architect: Elkus Manfredi
Check it out: https://nbpac.org/

The building: The 23-story
building includes 207 apartments, two theaters that can accommodate a total of 715 guests,
rehearsal spaces, expansive
lobby, rehearsal rooms, and bar.

Enjoy the show! Well, eventually. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the facility to
cancel shows six months after
it opened. Performances are
expected to begin as soon as
conditions permit.

The technological evolution in the theatre
industry puts additional stress on architects to put all of the elements in place for
a venue that is safe for everyone, including the lead clarinet, the elderly patron,
the acclaimed performer, and everyone in
between. The critical part is planning and
accounting for all the tasks that will occur within the building.
While the smoke vents help protect
the New Brunswick building, Goetze
and his team also had to consider how
to keep performers and patrons safe.
" When you are designing a theatre, there
are additional issues you have to take
into consideration,'' Goetze says. " You
have to account for protection of the audience from stage and production areas
WINTER 2021 | THEATRE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

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https://www.nbpac.org/

Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 2021

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