BoxTech O2mea Theatre & Hall Knowledge Hub
BoxTech O2mea Theatre & Hall Knowledge Hub
26 articles explaining engineering decisions in plain language for owners and consultants.
Theatres
How to design a theatre: a practical step-by-step guideA practical guide to theatre design: brief, room form, sightlines, acoustics, stage, seating and safety, with …Theatre vs auditorium: what is the difference?The difference between a theatre and an auditorium in purpose, stage, acoustics, equipment and seating, and wh…Sightlines in theatres and halls: how does every viewer see?Sightlines explained: C-value, point of focus, rake, staggered seating and horizontal viewing angles in theatr…How to choose theatre and auditorium seatingCriteria for theatre and hall seating: dimensions, row spacing, fixing method, comfort, flame-retardant fabric…Risers in theatres and halls: concrete, steel or telescopic?Types of seating risers: concrete, steel, telescopic and temporary; their relation to sightlines, step heights…Stage design guide: dimensions, spaces and equipmentA guide to stage design: proscenium opening, depth, wings, fly tower, sprung floor, traps, orchestra pit and l…Components of a professional theatre: a checklistA checklist of professional theatre components: house, stage, wings, flying, lighting, sound, control room, ar…What drives the cost of a theatre or hall project?Factors that affect the cost of theatre and hall projects: capacity, equipment level, isolation, risers, finis…Accessibility in theatres and hallsAccessibility guidance for theatres and halls: wheelchair positions with good sightlines, ramps, removable sea…
Auditoriums
University theatres and halls: what is different?Characteristics of university theatres and halls: large lecture theatres, activity theatres, lecture capture a…School theatres: safety, flexibility and soundGuidance for school theatres and halls: student safety, echo control, flexibility between activities, easy sou…Multipurpose halls: how can one room serve many uses?Designing multipurpose halls: defining the primary use, variable acoustics, telescopic seating, flexible stagi…How to design an auditorium: essential stepsSteps for auditorium design: use and capacity, room form, rake and screen, acoustics, sound system, lighting, …
Conference halls & meeting rooms
How to design a successful conference hallPrinciples of conference hall design: seating formats, acoustics, displays, microphones, interpretation, broad…Conference hall equipment: the core systems checklistConference hall equipment checklist: sound, delegate microphones, displays, cameras and streaming, interpretat…
Acoustics & soundproofing
What is reverberation time RT60, and how is it calculated for halls?RT60 explained: Sabine’s formula, target values for theatres, halls and conference rooms, and how materials an…Echo and reverberation in halls: causes and solutionsThe difference between echo and reverberation, causes of echo in halls, schools and event venues, and practica…Sound insulation vs acoustic treatmentThe difference between soundproofing (stopping sound transfer) and acoustic treatment (improving sound inside …Acoustic materials: types and when to use themA guide to acoustic materials: porous absorbers, perforated timber, resonant absorbers, diffusers, isolation m…Acoustic walls in theatres and hallsHow acoustic walls are designed: reflective, absorptive and diffusive walls, acoustic cladding, the rear wall,…Acoustic ceilings: reflective or absorptive?How to choose an acoustic ceiling for theatres, halls and conference rooms: ceiling reflectors, absorptive cei…Acoustic doors: why isolation fails at the doorAcoustic doors explained: mass, perimeter seals and thresholds, double doors and sound lobbies, and when theat…Acoustic floors, ceilings and walls: the room as a complete boxHow floating floors, isolated ceilings and double walls work together, the problem of flanking paths, and the …HVAC noise in theatres and halls and how to control itSources of HVAC noise in halls, NC criteria, air velocities, attenuators, vibration isolation and plant locati…
Technical systems
Lighting distribution in theatres: positions and anglesHow stage lighting is distributed: front light at about 45°, side, top and back light, house lighting, and bri…Control room design for theatres and hallsPrinciples of control room design: position and direct view, true listening, opening windows, space, ventilati…