Capacity and use
Fix a realistic number and the dominant use. A 300-seat lecture hall differs fundamentally from a 1,000-seat concert hall.
Room form
A fan shape brings the audience closer to the platform; a rectangle gives good lateral reflections. Choose by use and capacity.
Rake and screen together
Draw sightlines to the platform and to the bottom of the screen. A screen too low is blocked; too high strains necks in the front rows.
Acoustics and sound
Suitable reverberation, ceiling reflectors and a treated rear wall, then a sound system designed for even coverage.
Lighting, seats and egress
Dimmable lighting, speaker lighting, suitable seats, and aisles and exits to code.
Key takeaways
- Capacity and use first.
- Design the rake for platform and screen.
- Acoustics before the sound system.
This article is for general education; final design decisions are based on each project’s study and the competent authorities’ requirements.