lock haven university: Price auditorium

Client: Lock Haven University

Location: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Completed: 2017

Firm: IKM Incorporated

Team credits: Doug Lieb, Ben Clements

I was brought in during the production of Construction Documents and asked specifically to tackle the documentation of the auditorium’s acoustic panels, which at that point only existed in a Sketchup model. As I studied the geometry and spatial alignment of the panels, I decided to use Rhino 3D as a middle step before linking into Revit. Rhino proved to be the right tool for this job, and I was able to re-model the panels to site specific dimensions and accurately create the sub-framing. I used 3 full drawing sheets to communicate the side panels (more counting the ceiling) to the contractors. First, I invented a labelling system and elevated the sides of the auditorium, using shading to show which panels were “out of plane” with their neighbors. Next, I drew each triangular panel in true plan dimensions, showing the welded aluminum frame that is offset from the perimeter of the panel, and the panel breaks themselves. Finally, I used a 3-dimensional exploded view to show the layers of the system, including the unistrut sub-framing, concealed LED light fixtures, and attachment to the wall/ceiling.

This design was followed exactly in the field, with each welded frame custom-made in the shop and then brought on site. It was incredible to see the contractors create this unique system and pore over sheets I had drawn. The finished auditorium looks and sounds vastly better than it did pre-renovation, and provides a re-vamped focal point for the university to hold events.