Guarneri Hall

Location
Chicago, Illinois

Owner
Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins

Team
Acoustics and AV - Threshold
Theatre Consultant - Schuler Shook

Size
1,600 square feet
80-seats

Schedule
Completed 2018

Situated on the 3rd floor of a Chicago Loop high-rise, Guarneri Hall is a studio space for recording and live-streaming performances before audiences of up to 80.

Guarneri was commissioned by Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins, an internationally known violin dealer and restorer whose mission extends to advanced training for soloists and ensembles, curriculum support for classroom music teachers, and incubating classical music projects. The room relies on a complex geometry and localized diffusion rather than absorption to accommodate the power of string and wind ensembles as well as its resident Hamburg Steinway B. Unfinished walnut on the upstage wall helps to burnish the sound just a bit.

The result is remarkable warmth and spaciousness, especially for such a compact acoustic volume. Tracked curtains are available for acoustic refinements, but their use is rarely necessary. Technology includes high-definition video recording with integrated three-camera capture. The adjacent green room serves as a simple production space.

Recording, streaming, and playback systems can all be accessed through a single interactive touch screen. Short-throw rear projection onto a retractable screen near the upstage wall allows video backdrops and master classes without shadows on the screen. Finally, a robust audio system accommodates full-frequency playback.

Read more of what the Chicago Tribune has to say about the project