Benson Hall
Bethel College
Arden Mills, Minnesota
Client: Bethel Foundation
Seat Count: 1,500
Original Construction: 1995
Organ Dedication: 2003
Organ Builder: L.W. Blackinton & Assoc.
Architect: Sasaki Associates, Inc.
AD Scope: Acoustics
News Update | The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Selects Benson Great Hall for 2008 Concert Series
Bethel College’s Benson Hall, Arden Hills, MN, serves the college and the local community for choral works, chamber music and daily chapel.
The location of the organ pipework was a delicate balance of finding appropriate locations in the hall for the pipes to speak into the primary acoustical volume, minimizing interference with the existing raised choral terrace and creating a marriage between the existing architectural elements and the visual impact of the new organ.
AD worked closely with the organ builder, the college and the architect to incorporate the organ without compromising the outstanding acoustic environment.
The development of a wind system for the organ to be essentially silent as to not compromise the low background noise level in the hall was another challenge that AD met.
