Imagine you are immersed in the exhilaration of a live performance, the sights and sounds dazzle your eyes and ears, and you can feel the magic that pervades the concert hall. Think about when the performer stands on stage, living in that moment, feeding off the energy they see and hear in the audience. What you don’t see are the players backstage or those who are opposite the stage managing those magnificent sound effects, lights, and cameras.
Most of us in the audience do not even notice the windows in the rear of the theatre or the people inside those rooms working their own particular magic. These interior windows contribute a key element to the performance because they permit the production technicians inside the control room to work and interact without interfering with the performance on stage.
According to Wenger’s Acoustical Problems and Solutions “Acoustic windows can provide effective sound isolation if they are constructed with two isolating panes. It is best if each pane is a different thickness over 1/4 inch so they do not resonate at the same frequency. Also, separating the panes with an absorptive air space of at least 2 inches greatly improves the sound isolation. Windows that open should also seal tightly with gaskets.”
St. Cloud Window has had the privilege to contribute to acoustic performances by providing windows to over thirty concert halls and performing arts centers including:
Lincoln Center/David Geffen Hall, New York, NY
– SCW4040 horizontal sliding and SCW660 fixed windows
– Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects
– Acoustics: Akustiks
– Opening Fall 2022
Lincoln Center/Claire Tow Theater, New York, NY
– SCW940 horizontal sliding windows
– Architect: H3 Architecture
– Acoustics: Jaffe Holden
– Learn more
Kennedy Center/Terrace Theater, Washington, DC
– SCW960-A7 fixed and SCW660 fixed windows
– Architect: Quinn Evans Architects
– Acoustics: Jaffe Holden
– Learn more
Kennedy Center/Family Theater, Washington, DC
– SCW960-A7 fixed windows
– Architect: Richter Cornbrooks Gribble
– Acoustics: Jaffe Holden
– Learn more
Walt Disney Concert Hall/ REDCAT Theatre, Anaheim, CA
– SCW940 horizontal sliding and SCW960 fixed windows
– Architect: Gehry Partners
– Acoustics: Nagata Acoustics
– Learn more
Winspear Opera House, Dallas, TX
–SCW940-A7 horizontal sliding, SCW960-A7 fixed, and SCW660 fixed windows
– Architect: Foster and Partners and Kendall/Heaton Associates
– Acoustics: Sound Space Design
– Learn more
Bradley Symphony Center/Milwaukee Symphony, Milwaukee, WI
– SCW940-A7 horizontal sliding and SCW960-A7 fixed windows
– Architect: Kahler Slater
– Acoustics: Akustiks
– Learn more
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Athens, Greece
– SCW940-A7 horizontal sliding windows
– Architect: Renzo Piano Building Workshop
– Acoustics: ARUP
– Learn more
TheatreSquared, Fayetteville, TN
– SCW940 horizontal sliding and SCW960 fixed windows
– Architect: Marvel
– Acoustics: Charcoalblue
– Learn more
The next time a legendary composer delivers a masterpiece performance in the concert hall or another Tony Award-winning production thrills an appreciative theatre audience, it will be not without another exceptional performance from the interior acoustic windows in the control room!
So when your design calls for specific acoustic attenuation our experts can help you specify and detail the design components necessary to meet your most demanding performance requirements.
View Acoustic Window Selection
At St. Cloud Window we know every project begins with a challenge or an idea of what a building might be. We bring that vision to life with our distinctive design aesthetics, precision performance, and design-to-delivery support. Learn more about how our products can deliver on your design objectives and site requirements here. Then, check out our full line of historic replica and acoustic window products, and get in touch for more details about any of our high-performing commercial window products.
