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PROJECT STATUS
Our research team has been at work for ten years identifying, researching, and determining critical elements of ConstellationCenter’s design. We enlisted the help of industry experts and colleagues in the arts community to embark on ground-breaking research to ensure a comprehensive plan for our future complex. We have arrived now at the final stages of our research efforts.
Having visited over eight hundred halls throughout Europe and North America, we have collected and analyzed data that inform our acoustical, architectural, and operational aspects of our design. Our research team has investigated the performance characteristics of over fifty art forms, including the placement of performers and audience, the acoustic environment, and use of supporting architectural furnishings. This research has culminated in the construction of an acoustics laboratory in our East Cambridge, MA office. We have received a certificate of occupancy this past spring, and the laboratory is now fully operational. Certainly, its completion has accelerated our design efforts. (Click here to read more about the AcousticsLab).
In addition to this progress, ConstellationCenter is happy and excited to report that in September 2007, the City of Cambridge finalized amendments to its Zoning Ordinance to reflect the needs of performing arts centers. ConstellationCenter worked closely with the Cambridge City Council, Community Development Department, and Planning Board, in coordination with local community groups, to craft language that we believe serves as a model for performing arts zoning. This collaborative effort has reinforced the city’s commitment to being an art- and culture-friendly city by intentionally and aggressively addressing the needs of performing arts groups. With these amendments, the City of Cambridge leads the nation in providing a positive environment for building cultural facilities.
On our actual site, we have completed soil boring studies: four shallow and four deep borings were drilled for the purpose of characterizing the soils. This testing allows for the next phase of structural and civil design work. Soon we will conduct further soil boring to analyze the acoustic properties of the site beyond the teams’ past work.
We have recently completed several organ contracts. In September, we contracted with Taylor and Boody Organbuilders of Virginia to construct a Hildebrandt-style pipe organ; a separate news item provides details. In October, we signed a CD publishing agreement with Loft Recordings for our first music recording featuring William Porter playing works of J.S. Bach on the beautiful organ at Störmthal, Germany. This recording was made during one of our organ design research trips. We are providing one hundred copies of this CD to Störmthal free of charge to help enhance their public outreach campaign.
Look for more updates on our progress in the coming months.
- Kelly Reed, Director of Operations
December 2007
161 First Street
Cambridge, MA 02142-1247
Tel 617.939.1900
Fax 617.939.1911