Harris Theater for
Music and Dance
Chicago, IL
Lindsey K. Beane
Lighting/Electrical
AE Senior Thesis 2006
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Background
 Located at Millennium Park
 Building Uses
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Performance Space
Rehearsal Space
Box Office
Private Offices
 130,000 ft2
 1 story above grade, 8 partial
stories
 Estimated cost $39 million
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Outline
 Lighting Depth
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Entrance
Lobby
Auditorium
Offices
Electrical Depth
Acoustical Breadth
Cost Analysis
Conclusions
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
 Architectural Features
 Simple Lines
 Exposed columns and
beams
 Typical floor plans
 Design goals
 Inviting and Elegant
 Compliment the
architecture
 Uniformity on floor
Lobby
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Lobby
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Typical Lobby Level
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
First Level Lobby
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Lobby
 Summary
 Provides clean lines with concealed cove
 Decorative fixtures compliment the architecture
 Power Density is 1.3 W/s.f.
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Entrance
 Architectural Features
 Full Façade of Glazing
 Simple Lines
 Exposed columns and
Beams
 Design Goals
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Identifying Facade
No view of sources
Compliment the artwork
Provide layers of light
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Entrance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Entrance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Entrance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Entrance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Entrance
 Summary
 Sources are hidden from exterior views
 Highlights are used to catch your attention
 Power Density is lower then necessary at 1.6 W/s.f
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Private Offices
 Architectural Features
 Lower floor – below grade
 Light colored walls
 Offices and Conference space
 Design goals
 Contemporary office feeling
 Accent artwork on walls
 Uniformity on desk
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Private Offices
 Summary
 Open feeling from lighting the walls
 Uniformity on desks
 Power Density is 1.56W/s.f. due to accent lighting
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
 Architectural Features
 Acoustical Towers and
Reflectors
 Dark finishes
 Balcony Seating
 Design goals
 Create a dynamic space
 Uniformly light the
seating areas
 Accent architectural
features
 Dimmable sources
Auditorium
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Auditorium
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Auditorium Summary
 Summary
 Source choice provides sparkle and drama while maintaining
efficiency
 Uniformity and safety are met on the walkways and stairs while
adding a moonlit element
 Power Density is lower then necessary at 1.6 W/s.f
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Acoustical Analysis
 Problem
 Spill lighting on ceiling
clouds
 Existing design has
greater than 1:5 ratio
 Solution
 Reduce the length of
clouds
 Reduced length design
closer to 1:2 ratio
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Acoustical Analysis
 Study
 Reverberation time
studied
 Change from 1.098s
to 1.102s is not
significant
 Reflector reduction
enhances lighting
while maintaining
acoustical
performance
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Conclusions
 Lighting Depth
 Provided aesthetically appealing lighting systems
with low power densities.
 Dimming sources allow flexibility to maintain
uniformity where needed.
 Acoustical Breadth
 The performance of the auditorium remains constant
after changing the length of three acoustical
reflectors.
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Questions?
Thank you!