The Bricks of Perimeter
Duluth, GeorgiaSeat Count: 800
Project Type: New Construction
Opening: 2004
Architect: CDH Partners
A/V Installation: Peerson Audio
AD Scope: Design Assistance, Acoustics,
Audio, Video, LightingRelated projects
Perimeter Main Auditorium
Kidstown
Perimeter Church embarked on a $13 million dollar expansion project that includes a new student center for junior and senior high students called “The Bricks”. The facility consists of a coffee house (The Shed), cantina (Cliff Hanger Café), rock wall (students must have a signed waiver form to climb), game room and an 800-seat auditorium (The Hanger.) So that the center could be open more than just Sunday mornings, the church created a staff position to manage it full-time. The center hours are posted on school bulletin boards and in activity centers so that it draws people from beyond the normal reach of the church. Basketball cages and a rock climbing wall are part of the recreational activities. Video games, Christian rock music, and television monitors all add to the space designed for a technology-savvy generation. Perimeter worked with CDH Partners on the design of the space which has a very industrial look and feel. Large overhead glass “garage” doors separate the spaces. They can be closed for more intimacy or opened up to create a wide space. Inspiration came from a non-church venue. Perimeter wanted the flexibility of being able to use both portable seating and tables, so the floor couldn’t be sloped or stepped. They’ve created a unique space with a two-level design concept where the rear and sides of the room are raised about 3 feet creating a second level.
Flexibility was the driving factor in the design of all of the performance technologies. The audio systems were designed to be able to support intimacy or “get up and run.” Lighting systems were designed to be able to up the “cool quotient” on the platform, and the control booths are oversized to allow for training of future audio, video and lighting techs. Much of the equipment was chosen for continuity between the Bricks and other venues on campus.
