SAN FRANCISCO – With the December, 2010 dedication of Brigham Young University-Idaho's new 15,000-seat auditorium, BYU-Idaho Center, the campus is now home to one of the largest production theatrical facilities in North America built for the primary purpose of supporting weekly student devotional services. Brigham Young University-Idaho is part of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints' education system. Auerbach Glasow French worked under the direction of FFKR Architects to design, document and commission the architectural lighting and related controls for the lobby and auditorium audience chamber within the building.
Creative design solutions were provided in the lobby to accommodate the soaring three story high volume and long curving corridors. These challenges were solved by lighting fixtures mounted to the balcony fronts pointed towards a series of faceted reflector disks attached to the ceiling, refracting light to specific areas on the floor. Glowing wall sconces and pendant fixtures help create a luminous lobby that is comfortable and inviting. With large windows at the north and south ends of the building daylighting was also a factor in the design. The entire lobby is controlled by a switching system that changes the light levels based upon the time of day and time of year through an astronomical time clock.
In the auditorium, the firm designed lighting for the fan-shaped audience chamber that can be customized for performance, devotional, or lectures. Careful attention was paid to the finishes on the side walls and other details to create intimacy and warmth. Recessed ceiling fixtures and decorative sconces provide a soft glow, creating an intimate feel in the expansive space.
According to Larry French, the principal in-charge for Auerbach Glasow French “We met and exceeded our design challenge, bringing a 15,000-seat auditorium and large lobby into a comfortable scale, while providing a lighting system that is maintainable and energy efficient.”
Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, the firm's Performing Arts/Media Facilities Consulting and Design division, provided comprehensive consulting services for theatrical, audio-video and broadcast systems for the BYU-Idaho Center.