Summary: Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts required soundproofed theater doors for their Black Box Theatre, Hearst Dance Theater and mezzanine gallery level. Two large fire-rated STC 53 acoustic sliding doors were installed in the Black Box and the Hearst Dance Theater, and a third horizontal sliding door was installed in the mezzanine gallery level.
Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University
Lewis Center for the Arts is a new building offering programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theater and Visual Arts. It was designed to put the creative and performing arts at the core of the Princeton experience; its mission espouses a belief that exposure to the arts helps people to make sense of their lives.
The Center was named in honour of the late Peter B. Lewis (1933 – 2013), a member of Princeton’s Class of 1955 and a former Charter Trustee of the University. Mr. Lewis donated $101 million to Princeton University in 2006 to help develop performing arts on campus.
Our Project
CDL has many years of experience in manufacturing acoustic doors for a variety of settings. We specialise in providing high-performance solutions for challenging situations; for example, where a high level of acoustical performance is required and space is limited.
The client’s original design concept envisaged large pivot doors. However, the size of the doors at 16’ by 16’6’’, the requirement for high acoustical attenuation at STC53, and a 45-minute fire rating meant that a pivot door would not have been practical due to the weight. The architects had also specified a custom cladding for both doors: blackened steel for the Black Box Theatre and glass cladding for the Hearst Dance Theater. The challenge, therefore, was how to achieve all this.
After working closely with the architects to come up with an alternative solution, CDL designed two horizontal sliding doors with low headroom tracks to fit into the confined space of the existing pocket. In order to maintain the acoustical and fire integrity of the doors, we ensured the thickness, weight and fixing points for the cladding were incorporated into the design of the door prior to manufacture.
We also manufactured an 11’8” x 12’ custom sliding door on a mezzanine level with restricted access. This door was designed and manufactured in sections for ease of access to the mezzanine gallery area.
Browse our other case studies to understand the CDL team’s approach – working with our clients to come up with the best solution for their application.
