An extensive, house-wide remodel project provided its owners, a busy Washington D.C. couple, the opportunity to create a getaway on the third floor just for relaxing and enjoying movies.

Drawing on the home's Federal style roots, the Media Room provides wood wainscot, columns, a small stage and stretched fabric around the perimeter. Seating is comfortably arranged on three levels, ensuring optimal sight-lines and acoustics throughout. A separate Control Room adjoining the Media Room provides an engineered environment for the A/V components. The project is featured in the September 1999 issue of the Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, with a sidebar by Keith Yates highlighting the acoustical design. [For the original, uncut text, see "Halcyon Theater" in the News tab.]

Structural and historical/architectural concerns presented design challenges that were met by applying equal parts creativity and advanced acoustic modeling tools.

Video display is through a Runco projector illuminating a 93" by 50" THX projection surface. Audio display is through 7 Triad THX speakers and 4 subwoofers. Audio/video system design and installation by All-Around Technology, Bethesda, Maryland.

Acoustical detailing includes a noise-reducing enclosure around the ceiling-hung projector (top); the 300-lb. structure includes optically-engineered glass ports and independent air-conditioning to maintain an ideal thermal environment. The wall behind the audience features a prominent, exterior-facing round window (middle). The interior-facing pane of the double-pane construction is precisely canted to steer sound energy upwards, away from the audience; a motorized shade blocks light during movie screeenings. Behind the fabric are various acoustic devices and surround speakers (above). The wood wainscot is designed to function as a tuned bass absorber.

Performance-Based Room Design (sm)

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