Architectural details for auditorium design

1. Compiled by –
Ar. Ruturaj Kulkarni
M.Arch Sustainable Design

2.  Function of Auditorium – A column less obstruction free
area where an audible performance can be performed.
 What parameters affect auditorium design –
1. Audibility
2. Visibility
3. User Comfort
4. Required capacity
5. Services to be provided
6. Type of performance
7. Structure and material

3.  Capacity finalization
 Space requirement calculation
 Shape finalization
 Parking provisions
 Outdoor spaces and connectivity
 Circulation

4.  Number of occupants is utmost important criteria of an
Auditorium.
 It decides the space requirements for, area division for
seating, lobby, toilets, circulation and Parking etc
 It also decides services requirements like HVAC, Fire safety,
Acoustics, Water supply, Electric requirements, Sewage and
sanitation, Building automation etc
 Balcony seating shall be 1/3 to 1/4th of total seating in
auditorium

5. The floor area of hall including gangways should be
ranging from 0.6 to 0.9 sqm per person.
Example - Capacity 1000 people
Area required for seating = 1000 x 0.9 = 900 sqm approx
Balcony – Should be 1/3 to 1/4th of total seating capacity.
Seating for balcony – 1000 x ¼ = 250
Area required = 250 x 0.9 = 225 sqm approx

6.  Drama, Dance, Lecture,
Speech
 One side throw, less
reverberation, Less echo
surface, Maximum visibility,
Activity separation for
public and performer,
 One side service control
Shape of an auditorium depends on types of performance
Fan shape

7.  Folk arts, speeches,
gatherings etc
 One side throw, medium
reverberation, Less echo
surface, Maximum visibility,
Activity separation for
public and performer,
 multi side service control
Shape of an auditorium depends on types of performance
Spreader shape

8.  Singing and music concerts
 all side throw, maximum
reverberation, optimum
echo surface, Maximum
visibility, Activity inclusion
for public and performer,
 multi side service control
Shape of an auditorium depends on types of performance
All side seating, round shape

9.  Stage is most heavily loaded area in an auditorium in
terms of services. It consists of
1. Performance area
2. Back stage circulation
3. Side storage and services control
4. Green rooms
5. Toilets
6. Storage area
7. Loading and unloading platform etc
Proportions for stage design are as follows

10.  Proscenium i.e. Front opening size of stage depends
upon depth of house.
 For play theatres - House depth is kept maximum 24
mtr (as visual expressions become un recognizable
beyond that)
 For opera theatres – House depth is kept max 32 mtr
 Rear walkway shall be minimum 1.5 mtr wide
 Side walkways shall not be less than 2 mtr wide
 Vision / entry screen arranged at 1.5 - 2 mtr apart

21. 4 to 6 mtr 2 to 3 mtr
1.5 mtr

22. Changing
room
catwalk
Stage
Balcony
Vestibule
Orchestra pit
seating

24.  Waiting lobby shall be considered as 0.5 sqm area per
person.
 Total maximum occupancy of waiting lobby shall be
considered as 25% to 40 % of seating.
 Toilets for users shall be designed as per NBC
guidelines
 Circulation space of 15% shall be added in lobby area.

25.  Capacity of Air conditioning decided as per occupancy
 HEPA filters are mandatory in covid scenario
 Ground floor Supply and return air openings and
ducts are only located below balcony.
 AHU is located on every floor in a way that circulation
duct length is minimized.
 In most of the cases lobby is not air conditioned.
 Split AC can be applied to office area, Special green
rooms etc

26. AHU
AHU
inlet
Extraction

27. OUTLET
DIFFUSER (GROUND
FLOOR)
DIFFUSER (BALCONY
LEVEL)
AHU

28.  Passive sound projection - Use of natural sound force
and acoustic treatments
 Active sound reinforcement - Use of speakers for
enhancement
 Absorbents in auditorium – Seating, Occupants,
Carpeting, Soft / Perforated surface cladding or ceiling
 Reflectors in auditorium – Metallic finishes, Structural
elements, Uncarpeted floor, Doors etc
 Different types of absorbents are used for different
frequencies.
 Acoustical material to be standardised for fire rating
and aeisthetics `

29. Stage Acoustics – Requires high reflection, Least
absorption and optimum reverberation
Sound foci and dead spot to be avoided
Use of angular reflection to reach the farthest seat

30. Echo formation due to distance increment and sound
delay

31.  Stage lighting – Specialized lights,
required separate electric
connection, Large luminaries,
Mobile and remote controlled,
Requires mounting , High heat
output of lamps (direct lighting
system is applied)
 Seating lighting – Divided in ceiling
lights and foot lights. Lighting at eye
level is strictly avoided, small
luminary , distant spacing to assure
equal lighting, Low heat output per
lamp, but combined greater output,
Dimmable lighting, (direct and
indirect lighting system is used)

32.  Lobby lighting - Requires high
lux levels, Ceiling lighting with
direct lighting system, Inclusion
of maximum daylight is
appreciated
 Back stage – Backstage requires
high lux level lighting, direct
lighting system
 Green room lighting –
 Specialized task lighting with
high lux level for makeup and
such tasks

34.  Guiding pathway lighting with pole lights and foot
lighting shall be provided from exit to parking.
 Parking must have high lux level direct lighting system
 Flood lamps can be used for aesthetic and elevation
surface treatment. It should not cause light pollution
for surrounding environment .
 Separate control system shall be provided for the same

35.  Transformer shall be located on boundary line of
property with access from outside.
 Distribution panel room shall be created outdoor
providing separate connections to
 1. Fire fighting services
 2. Air conditioning and heavy load equipments
 Outdoor lighting system
 Electric supply to auditorium house

36.  Separate electrical control rooms shall be provided for
stage and rest of the house
 MCB shall be provided for different parts of floor area
like front seating, middle seating, balcony seating etc
 Capping casing wiring system is most popular in such
design
 Specialized under floor wiring or ceiling wiring is
required in some cases

37. Control room
Control room

42.  Water storage capacity of the building shall follow
rules provided in NBC to assure per person water
supply requirement
 As per requirement, separate water tanks shall be
constructed for lobby with toilets and backstage area
with toilets.
 Additional water tank at different locations shall be
provided for fire fighting provisions. Wet and dry riser
systems can be adopted as per situational context.

45.  HVAC – Ducting layout being obstruction to beam,
false ceiling and wall
 Electric wiring and lighting through floor and ceiling
 Track light and flood light fixing on stage with lighting
truss located parallel to proscenium
 Water supply and sewage layout through wall, ceiling
and flooring

46. Gaps
between
show
wall and
structure

47.  Controlled entry and exit points
 No reverse circulation shall be allowed
 Lobby for intermission waiting shall not be accessed
without control
 Waiting for next show shall not be disturbed by exit
crowd
 Vip access shall be provided directly to front row and
stage without public interruption
 Service rout and loading unloading shall not disturb
regular movement of auditorium

48.  Fire safety sensors
 Occupancy sensors
 Water pressure system
 Air change and ventilation speed management
 Emergency alarm and management sensors
 Lighting sensors
 CCTV and security management sensors

49.  Use of solar Photovoltaic
 Waste water recycling for gardening and washing
 Use of building automation for energy conservation
 Use of optimized HVAC system to conserve energy
 Optimized building schedule planning
 Xeriscaping and use of native trees for water
conservation
 Compost plants for garbage recycling

50.  Auditorium is building of many aspects which needs
to go hand in hand. A perfect planning can create a
marvel but in today's context just a marvel is not
enough.
 A sustainable plan catering to future needs becomes
eminent. It must consist parameters of socio cultural
aspect and planning with respect to surrounding
urban context.