Auditorium Design For BITS Pilani At Hyderabad | RMM Designs
This was a unique project where our primary design brief was that the auditorium should have a “WOW” effect. Since the auditorium was for one of the premier educational institutes of the country, we decided to explore ideas that were not previously attempted for auditorium designing in India. Our task was made even more challenging since this was supposed to be one of the largest auditoriums in the country and the largest in South India, with about 2500 seats.
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INTERIOR DESIGN :
The seating capacity was split over 2 levels. A fan-shaped seating layout aided better sight-lines from each seat. Almost the entire ceiling was envisaged as a double-layered ceiling with the innovative, lower open grid ceiling amalgamated with the darker unobtrusive upper layer which catered to the acoustic and services requirements.
Since all the services utility end-points were housed in the upper layer, we could design the lower layer as a decorative ceiling with stunning aesthetics. It was an on-site challenge to accurately superimpose both ceilings such that the utility end-points were located within the open grids of the lower ceiling. This was even more exacting and demanding since the upper layer had a standardized rectangular grid (to keep costs down) while the lower decorative layer had a radial grid.
The wall paneling was designed as a mural with the multi-colored raised panels adding vibrancy to the interiors. The materials for the colored wall panels were carefully selected with varying acoustic backings to provide the required acoustical feedback. Grooved wooden finish panels were used for the lower level paneling which was mounted on aluminum framework with an acoustic infill. The rear wall, needing to have the maximum sound absorption, was finished with a high-absorption fabric finish acoustic panels on the upper portions.
The ceiling below the balcony was kept unobtrusive to retain the focus on the main ceiling.
STAGE LIGHTING & EQUIPMENT :
Multiple stage lighting and equipment solutions were implemented including a dedicated Light Bridge for FOH Lighting, multiple overhead lighting options on motorized bars including Spots, Cyclorama lights, Cool-lights and Tele-climbers. Main, mid and rear curtains were provided to enable multi-use of the stage space. Above stage motorized utility bars give added flexibility for suspending scenery, banners, mics, and other props. On-stage AV and power connectivity were provided through floor boxes for additional equipment like laser lighting, fog machines, monitor speakers, prompter screens and microphones..
AUDIO-VIDEO SYSTEM :
The Audio-Video system was planned with the front array speakers supported by the surround speakers completing the 5.1 configurations. Additional fill speakers were planned to cover shadow zones and the excessive depth of the seating area. A large 57’-0” screen fixed onto the Cyclorama (rear wall) enables screening of movies, presentations and other media. The AV and Stage equipment controls are housed in a dedicated projection room at the rear of the balcony. The microphone system comprised of lectern mics, collar mics, goose-neck mics & wireless mics.
Our biggest compliment was when on the day of the inauguration, the initial reaction of most visitors was “WOW”.
FACT FILE
Client & Location: BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Capacity: Approx. 2500
Area: Approx. 1,75,000 sqft
Project Cost: Approx. 62 Crores
Architectural Firm: RMM Designs
Architect & Principal Consultant: Rahul Manohar
Other Consultants: Maple Consultants (MEP), EDA Consultancy Services (Structural Engineers)
Contractors for Structure: Shapoorji Pallonji Engineering & Construction
Interior Contractors: Centrix Projects
Stage Lighting & Equipment: Canara Lighting Industries Pvt Ltd
Audio-Video System: Actis Technologies Pvt Ltd
Chairs: Pen Workers
Photo Courtesy: Prashant Bhat