Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Verizon Hall is situated within The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which opened its doors to the public on December 16, 2001. The Center, which occupies an entire city block, achieved instant prominence in the performing arts world as the new home of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra. The Center also contains the multi-use Perelman Theater.

The 2500-seat Verizon Hall, acoustically designed by Artec Consultants Inc, was custom-made for The Philadelphia Orchestra. The opening of the hall represented the culmination of a long process that began in 1908 when the idea of a purpose-built home for The Philadelphia Orchestra was first raised. Artec began its work with the Orchestra in 1986, initially providing feasibility study consulting, and continuing with the basic design of Verizon Hall, and acoustics consulting past opening day.

Verizon Hall may be the only concert hall in the world to be shaped as a cello, a design proposed by the world-renowned architect, Rafael Viñoly. In addition, the hall includes 260,000 cubic feet of coupled reverberation space, motorized adjustable acoustical banners, and a three-piece vertically moving acoustical canopy system, which hangs above the stage area. The moving elements can be adjusted to tailor the room, visually and acoustically, to the needs of the performance. Besides The Philadelphia Orchestra, for whom Verizon Hall was designed, the venue is also home for Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®.

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 for the entire Center. The architect of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is Rafael Viñoly.