Reimagining David Geffen Hall with Pollmeier European Beech
David Geffen Hall, historically beset with acoustic inefficiency, was reimagined into a world-class concert hall befitting of the New York Philharmonic with its new, unparalleled sound quality and beauty.
Diamond Schmitt Architects expertly restructured the center into an architectural marvel that perfectly captures and enhances the performances in the center. As is shown through the intricate curvature of the wall paneling, David Geffen Hall’s redesign emphasized fine millwork of natural wood materials. By combining singularly artful woodworking with extensive sound engineering, this immense reconstruction ultimately enhanced the acoustic and visual quality for every seat in the venue.
Wall Paneling
Pollmeier Superior European Beech LumberWall Paneling
The undulating walls were expertly crafted and machined to uniquely mimic the shape of real sound waves. On every wall, the featured natural wood veneer and paneling evoke intimacy and premium sound reverberation. Using Pollmeier Superior European Beech, the millworkers at Fetzer Architectural Woodworking carefully sculpted the wood panels to maximize the acoustic performance. This achievement was a result of exacting curves and intricately patterned grooves throughout the hall to amplify and improve the sound quality throughout the center.
This dynamic space was a unique challenge as it called for oscillating curves throughout the wall paneling, which would require a highly stable and workable lumber product. European Beech was specified for its availability, dimensional stability, and density, making it the optimal choice for this large-scale project. Pollmeier European Beech is proprietarily steamed to create controlled moisture content, ultimately leading to a more stable and workable board—which produced incredible sound absorption throughout the concert hall. For a project as intricate and inspiring as David Geffen Hall, the high-performance Superior Grade Beech was the ideal choice.
Project: David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center
Location: New York City, 2022
Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc.
Millworker: Fetzer Architectural Woodworking
Products Used: Pollmeier Superior European Beech
Photo Credit: Michael Moran/OTTO
