Chapel on Fir Hill, Akron, Ohio, USA

Chapel on Fir Hill was built in 1973 and renovated in 2000 to liven the sanctuary's subdued acoustics and upgrade the technical systems to contemporary quality standards for a modern House of Worship. This renovation project was implemented over a period of five months without closing the sanctuary.

Artec Consultants Inc led a renovation design team of Akron architects and engineers in updating this 1,800-person, 1970s-era, fan-shaped church. Technical upgrades included a new lighting control board, dimmers, and moving lights for the production lighting system; new loudspeaker arrays, amplifiers, and control for the sound reinforcement systems; and a reconstruction of the sanctuary space (choir loft and stage platform) in order to better accommodate choir, orchestra, and other performance needs.

Acoustics were significantly improved, for the 150-voice choir, 35-member orchestra, soloists, and congregation, by the addition of acoustic treatments to the sanctuary and auditorium. Adding some reflective surfaces and diffuser fins to the back wall of the platform resulted in production of useful reflections within the platform area and the choir loft. Mechanical system noise was reduced to very low levels.

Artec provided Design and Planning services covering Auditorium Acoustics Design, Specialized Performance Equipment Systems (sound & communication systems) design and Background Noise and Vibration Control consulting. The architects for this renovation project were Douglas Steidl and Robert Habel of Braun & Steidl Architects.