Ann Whitney Olin Theatre, Lewis and Clarke Community College, Godfrey, Ill.
by Jonathan McGaha | September 6, 2012 12:00 am
The Ann Whitney Olin Theatre at Lewis & Clarke Community College in Godfrey, Ill., underwent a renovation that was completed in February 2012. The 49-year-old, 1,000-seat theater includes the installation of 2,000 square feet of Lancaster, Pa.-based Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Systems’ Serpentina Waves acoustical ceiling clouds. The ceiling clouds are a curved, pre-engineered extruded aluminum ceiling system that features large-scale panels and no visible grid. Everything but the seats were removed from the theater.
Three different metal infill panel sizes were installed in the theater, including 2 by 8 feet, 2 by 10 feet and 2 by 12 feet. All the panels feature a Silver Satin finish, and are perforated and backed with an acoustical fleece for improved sound control within the venue. The perforations are only 1/16-inch in diameter, which make them virtually invisible.
Serpentina Waves metal ceiling clouds were also installed in a new two-story, glass-enclosed lobby that has become the building’s main entrance. The 3-D metal ceiling system creates the appearance of a floating cloud with a “wave” profile, and imparts a clean, sleek, custom look even though it is created with standard ready-to-assemble components.
Metal was selected for a number of reasons. The design team required a ceiling material that offered a great degree of flexibility because of the range of installations needed to implement their design. Metal ceilings also require very little maintenance and are very durable. As a result, they have a very long service life and will not have to be replaced frequently, which add to their appeal. Aesthetics and acoustics were also key criteria. Aesthetically, the unique curved form of Serpentina Waves adds scale and dimension to the space while imparting a contemporary visual that makes the metal ceiling one of the more dramatic architectural features of the theater. Acoustically, the ability to back the metal infill panels with a sound-absorbing fleece enables the space to achieve desired acoustic results.
In addition, the ceiling system’s unique framing and suspension method only requires half the hanger wires normally required on projects of this type. The system also eliminates unsightly hanger wires at the perimeter of the ceiling clouds.
The project architect was AAIC Inc., Collinsville, Ill., and Von Alst Operating, Swansea, Ill., installed the panels.
Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Systems, www.armstrong.com
Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/projects/ann-whitney-olin-theatre-lewis-and-clarke-community-college-godfrey-ill/