Jacobs Music Center

The renovation reimagined the relationship between the stage, audience, and technical systems to create a more adaptable performance environment. Given its original purpose as a movie theatre rather than a concert hall, the building’s generous volume provided a strong foundation for transformation, but its acoustics and functionality presented challenges. A deep balcony overhang limited sound distribution, and the stage was undersized for a modern orchestra.

Adding complexity, Jacobs Music Center is a true ​“building within a building.” Over the decades, a hotel and office tower were constructed around and above the original theatre, enclosing the historic structure within a much larger complex. While this created unique constraints, it also provided unexpected opportunities for modernization, including new approaches to mechanical systems, infrastructure, and technical support spaces. 

Expanding Performance Flexibility

A key component of the renovation was enhancing the stage’s flexibility to allow for a wider variety of performance types. Discoveries during demolition, including the need to replace the original stage structure, allowed for the introduction of new features such as a large stage lift that significantly improved production operations. The stage was enlarged by extending a new choral terrace beneath the adjacent sidewalk. 

The renovation introduced an unprecedented level of acoustic flexibility for a historic concert hall. Working closely with Akustiks, the team developed an innovative adjustable orchestra canopy with twenty independently movable reflectors that can pan, tilt, and raise or lower to optimize acoustics for different performance types. Additional variable acoustic curtains and devices were discreetly integrated throughout the hall, many concealed behind historic architectural elements. Replacing the movable orchestra shell with a fixed architectural surround also freed significant backstage volume, allowing new offices, lounges, music library space, technical rooms, and a dedicated mechanical room to be integrated into the building while relocating noisy equipment outside the acoustic environment.

Enhancing the Audience Experience

Schuler Shook led significant seating and sightline improvements, beginning with a complete reconfiguration of the orchestra level. The number of rows was reduced, the seating rake was increased, and a new parterre was introduced to create stronger visual connections and improve sightlines throughout the hall.

Side galleries at the orchestra level provide additional seating options while enhancing intimacy within the audience chamber and contributing to the hall’s acoustic performance. The redesigned aisle configuration creates more accessible seating locations and improves circulation, allowing patrons to enter and exit more comfortably with minimal disruption.

The renovation also addressed spaces beyond the seating bowl. By moving the audience chamber walls closer to the stage, the project reduced the balcony overhang, improved acoustic performance, and created opportunities for new patron amenities, including lounge spaces and improved technical control areas.

iNTEGRATING lIGHT AND aRCHITECTURE

The architectural lighting design balances the preservation of the historic concert hall with the integration of contemporary lighting technology. Rather than illuminating every decorative surface, the design team worked to identify and emphasize key architectural elements, creating a deliberate composition of light and shadow that highlights the venue’s ornate plasterwork while allowing other features to recede. Original decorative fixtures were restored where possible, while the entire lighting system was upgraded to energy-efficient LED sources. The updated system improves flexibility, reduces operating costs, and allows the Symphony greater control over the atmosphere of the hall.

A major challenge was discreetly integrating lighting into the historic fabric without detracting from the architecture. Custom details — including concealed fixtures mounted on existing ledges, painted valances that blend seamlessly with restored plasterwork, and integrated lighting pockets within newly constructed architectural elements — allow fixtures to remain virtually invisible from audience viewpoints while providing precise illumination. 

The team also collaborated closely with Akustiks to protect the hall’s acoustic performance, carefully locating drivers and power supplies outside the acoustic volume wherever possible and resolving issues such as fixture fan noise to protect the hall’s acoustic environment.

Preserving the Past, Preparing for the Future

Jacobs Music Center presented the unique challenge of renovating a historic theatre that remained in active use until construction began. The venue’s unusual ​“building within a building” configuration, combined with evolving discoveries during demolition, required continuous collaboration and creative problem-solving among the San Diego Symphony, design team, consultants, and technical staff. The process demonstrated the value of close partnership between designers and the people who operate the venue every day.

Through thoughtful planning, technical innovation, and respect for history, the renovation created a more flexible stage, an enhanced audience experience, improved acoustics, and a renewed home for the San Diego Symphony for generations to come.