Herbert Hoover Middle School, Auditorium Renovation

San Francisco, California

Firm

John Sergio Fisher & Associates, Inc.

Client

San Francisco Unified School District

Area

11,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$2,033,744

Completion Date

03/2018

JSFA, Ciro Coelho

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John Sergio Fisher & Associates, the architect, theatre and acoustical consultant for the renovation of this 1950s 600-seat auditorium at the San Francisco Unified School District’s Herbert Hoover Middle School, sought to transform an acoustically poor and visually intrusive performance space into an acoustically enhanced venue for plays, band/orchestra events and choral performances.

The auditorium’s flat ceiling was removed to open up the space for acoustical and visual improvements. The removal exposed an existing catwalk system that was then fitted with connector strips for front-of-house lighting positions. Acoustical reflectors were added to the underside of the catwalks to create acoustical intimacy. The open spaces between the catwalks, which are painted black, provide longer reverberation times for band and orchestra. The side walls received reflective wood paneling, and the rear wall received absorptive wood paneling to prevent echoes.