Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay Building Auditorium Renovation

The University of Texas at Austin

The goal of this renovation of the existing two-story auditorium was to expand audience seating, add catering capabilities, and improve acoustics without altering the decorated ceiling designed by Cesar Pelli. Approximately 2400 square feet of existing space was remodeled to become the new auditorium, kitchen, break room, and offices. Additional upgrades to the space include new audio-visual equipment and improvements to the mechanical, lighting, and electrically-operated window covering systems. New furniture and fabric selections allow the auditorium to serve as a primary lecture space for the Psychology Department. Subtle design considerations in the space include aligning new horizontally banded acoustic panels with the rhythm of the existing windows. The acoustical improvements, an unprecedented success, rendered the AV system unnecessary during lecture functions.