Kresge Auditorium

Kresge Auditorium is an auditorium building for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, located at 48 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was designed by the noted architect Eero Saarinen, with ground-breaking in 1953 and dedication in 1955.

Related Topics:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge, Massachusetts - Architect - Eero Saarinen - 1953 - 1955

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The building is a remarkably elegant 1200-ton dome, one-eight of a sphere rising to a height of 50 feet, and sliced away by sheer glass walls so that it comes to earth on only three points. The dome is thin concrete clad with copper, and supported by concrete and steel abutments so it floats free of its brickwork base. Its upper level contains a fine concert hall (with seating for 1226 people), while the lower level houses a little theater (seating 204), two rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, offices, bathrooms, and lounges. The concert hall also contains an organ.

Related Topics:
Sphere - Concert hall - Organ

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Every seat in concert hall has an unobstructed view since there are no interior supports for the overarching dome. Working with reknowned acoustical architects Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Saarinen employed free-hanging acoustic "clouds" that absorb and direct sound, instead of a traditional plaster ceiling. These clouds also contained lights, loudspeakers, and ventilation.

Related Topics:
Acoustical - Bolt, Beranek and Newman - Loudspeakers - Ventilation

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While standing on either side of the entry lobby, one can distinctly hear people on the other side speaking in as low a voice as a whisper.

Related Topics:
Lobby - Whisper

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