The building, a 190,000sq.ft structure located on a 20-acre campus, was designed by award-winning architect Rich Varda, along with RSP Architects. The architecture evokes the topography of the American Southwest with a richly textured Indian limestone façade. Interior galleries are linked by an undulating central corridor known as 'El Rio'.
Stage Technologies Las Vegas installed an automation system in the museum's 299-seat Music Theatre. The team worked closely with general contractors Ryan Construction and consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, together optimising the structural support steel used in the venue's construction, which provided considerable savings on the client's cost.
Mark Beal, project manager for the venue, was more than satisfied with the results of this close collaboration: "Stage Technologies came very highly recommended from our consultant team, and they have proven to be experts in the field of theatrical rigging systems. They have been very proactive in terms of finding the best methods to achieve the desired level of performance at the Music Theatre."
The automation system comprises BT250 Lite compact, multi-line packaged hoists and sliding acoustic panels, along with a Maxis control rack and a mobile, handheld controller. The winches are used for raising and lowering house and stage light battens and the 16 acoustic panels can be moved to adjust the acoustic dynamics of the auditorium - vital for a venue that doesn't just stage concerts but is intrinsically all about the essence of music.
The Music Theatre is the heart of the museum, where a varied concert programme has begun to celebrate the richness and energy of music through live performances of traditional, contemporary, instrumental, and vocal compositions sourced from Arizona all the way to Australia.
(Jim Evans)
