A new development in downtown Tallahassee spans two city blocks. The master plan includes a series of steps to connect the two blocks.

AD was initially retained to examine the feasibility of using these steps to create an urban impromptu amphitheater. The concept was to encourage informal performances, and to provide another venue that could be used formally as an integral part of Tallahassee's civic activities.

Our feasibility study began with meetings with city representatives and other potential user groups in the area. The study concluded that the buildings planned on either side of the performance steps created a nearly ideal outdoor environment for classical music. An essential element of our study was site noise measurements. Particularly in an urban environment, site noise had the potential to preclude many types of performances.

The performance platform was anticipated to be used for a broad range of performance genres ranging from unamplified chamber music, jazz ensembles, and highly amplified popular music groups. After concluding the viability of the steps as a performance venue, we worked with the architect and user groups to refine the design of the performance platform and the steps. Our scope of work included accommodation for sound reinforcement systems and detailed design of the band shell.

We developed a series of variable acoustics elements into the design of the band shell to provide the flexibility to accommodate the broad range of anticipated performance types. These elements were designed to withstand the unprotected exterior environment of the venue.