Portland State University Lincoln Hall
Lincoln Hall at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, houses the university’s School of Music and Theater. It was renovated in 2013. Bora Architecture and Interiors were the architects and the acoustics studio at Sparling was the acoustic consultant. I served as Principal in Charge of the acoustic team. The project renovated or added music rehearsal rooms, practice and ensemble rooms, a black box theatre and a recital hall. The recital hall, pictured above, is primarily used for music performances and seats 200. Prior to the renovation, the room had a flat, plaster ceiling. We reshaped the walls and removed the ceiling, replacing it with curved reflectors set between solid beams, with spaces between the reflectors and beams to allow sound to interact between the various elements.
Another larger performance hall is located above the recital hall. It was not included in the renovation. The orchestra pit of the larger hall is directly above the stage of the recital hall. We worked closely with Bora Architecture to detail the construction of the stage ceiling, to create the desired acoustic separation between the two spaces.
“The finished hall so far exceeds our hopes that everyone in the department is still amazed by its profound transformation. Simply put, it is the finest small recital hall in the city, if not the entire state. The relationship between the audience and performers provides a level of intimacy not normally found in recital halls. I don’t know of a single hall in the region that compares. Once we opened the space to the public we have been overwhelmed by requests from external users. Everyone wants to perform in the hall.”
– Bryan Johanson, Chair, Department of Music, Portland State University, on the Lincoln Hall Music Recital Hall renovation.
