9/7/2019 Auditorium | WBDG - Whole Building Design Guide

Auditorium  
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by WBDG Staff
Updated: 12-04-2017

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

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, sightlines, 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.

Accessible (/Design-Objectives/Accessible) And 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).
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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).

Building codes will provide auditorium seating layout and clearance requirements.

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. Lighting systems should be
exible to accommodate various performance venues (e.g., lectures, plays, musical performances,
etc.) in the Auditorium. See also WBDG Electric Lighting Controls (/resources/electric-lighting-
controls).

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 / Safe—Fire 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 combination—because of their reverberation characteristics—for the ceiling. For more
information, see WBDG Productive—Provide Comfortable Environments (/design- 
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objectives/productive/provide-comfortable-environments) and Acoustic Comfort

(/resources/acoustic-comfort).

The Auditorium Giovanni Agnelli in Turin, Italy has variable ceiling height according to acoustic needs.
Photo Credits: Centro Congressi Lingotto

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
(/space-types/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>).

Materials and Finishes: Use materials (/resources/materials) and nishes that meet sustainability
requirements for Low or No-VOC as well as durability and low maintenance. Coordinate
maintenance and replacements with sustainable O&M practices (/resources/sustainable-om-
practices) to ensure an overall healthy environment.

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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The historic 1927 Baldwin Auditorium

(https://today.duke.edu/2014/02/baldwinawards) at Duke University
underwent renovations while incorporating signi cant sustainable design
features and strategies such as energy and water ef ciency, indoor air quality,
and resource management, earning Silver Certi cation under the LEED™ for
New Construction 2.2 Rating System. Pfeiffer Partners Architects.
Photo Credit: Duke University

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 regular events or an emergency in 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. Materials used should be non-combustible. Regular inspections should also be conducted and
documented in order to prevent safety hazards. Plan for secure areas in and around the auditorium
including unused parts of the building; separating audience from performers; and keeping
unauthorized people from stage and catwalk areas. Staff should be trained in crowd management,
First Aid, and Accessibility in order to support performers and audience needs and maintain a safe
environment. See also WBDG Secure / Safe—Occupant Safety and Health (/design-
objectives/secure-safe/occupant-safety-health) and Secure / Safe—Fire Protection (/design-
objectives/secure-safe/ re-protection).

Example Program
The following building program is representative of Auditorium space types.

AUDITORIUM

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

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 (ADA) (http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm)

ASHRAE: Noise and Vibration Control (https://www.ashrae.org/advertising/handbook-cd-
commercial-resources/applications/noise-and-vibration-control)
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG)
(http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-sites/about-the-ada-
standards/background/adaag) 
GSA PBS-P100 Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service (/ffc/gsa/criteria/pbs-p100)

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

ADDITIONAL 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
Productive—Provide Comfortable Environments (/design-objectives/productive/provide-comfortable-
environments), Secure / Safe—Fire Protection (/design-objectives/secure-safe/ re-protection), Secure /
Safe—Occupant 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 world-wide preeminence in the eld of acoustics.
Institute of Noise Control Engineering (http://www.inceusa.org/)—The Institute of Noise Control
Engineering of the USA (INCE/USA) is a non-pro t professional organization incorporated in
Washington, DC. A primary purpose of the Institute is to promote engineering solutions to
environmental noise problems.

Publications
Architectural Graphic Standards, 12th Edition (http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-
111890950X.html) by American Institute of Architects, Dennis J. Hall. New York, NY: John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., 2016.
Auditorium Acoustics 101 – 104 (http://www.church-acoustics.com/articles/auditorium-acoustics-
101/)

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