David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, home to the New York Philharmonic, is more than a music hall, it is a cultural landmark. Originally completed in 1962, it has gone through multiple renovations to address longstanding acoustical challenges, which were unresolved until now. We were tasked to address the acoustical deficiencies and to invigorate the public spaces, all within the existing iconic envelope. The re-imagined David Geffen Hall improves the entire concert-going experience with new public offerings and a state-of-the-art concert hall. Throughout the building, key spaces are acoustically tuned and technologically equipped to accommodate various types of performance. The new concert hall transforms the previous cavernous rectilinear shoebox into a curvilinear, unified room with improved acoustics and optimized sightlines. By relocating the stage forward by 25’ and eliminating the proscenium, the seating wraps around the stage and brings the entire audience closer to the performers. Back-of-house facilities were updated to accommodate the wide-ranging needs of performers and production teams. With flexible spaces for performance, a material palette imbued with warmth, color, and glamour, and an entirely reconstructed hall emphasizing audience connection and resonant acoustics, the building brings a new energy to Lincoln Center’s Campus.
