Watermark Community Church
Dallas, Texas

Seat Count: 3500
Project Type: New Construction
Project Completion: 2011
Architect: Omniplan
AD Scope: Acoustics, A/V Input,
Lighting Design Review, Stage Design,
Room Design, 3D Visualizations

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Watermark Stage Design

The design of the 3,500-seat worship center was driven in large part by the success of the interim worship facility. While it was always intended that the interim space would be dismantled and equipment reused, there was significant reuse of design elements so that the new facility would function in the same manner but with the addition of 1,000 seats. The rake of the upper balcony is designed not only for sightlines to the stage but also to provide views to other worshippers in the auditorium. The catslides flanking the auditorium add to the sense of a connected experience.

Great care was taken with the seating layout to ensure excellent sightlines. The theatre seating isn't divided with armrests so that the room feels more connected. The auditorium also occupies a fairly tight footprint because of the layout. The seats are different colors to make the room scalable. When used for smaller events, the upper balconies feel occupied because of the color variance. It also made it easier to relocate the seats from the interim sanctuary to the permanent one.

Five-hundred sheets of birch and OSB plywood were suspended from the ceiling for acoustics and aesthetics. They are topped with absorptive material to provide additional acoustic control.

The stage area is designed to support full production with a green room and set shop on the first floor; the second floor contains a studio and audio/video production suite and the third floor provides storage and access to catwalks. There is also a "tech mezannine"--an elevated level which supports the IMAG projectors, can be used for additional lighting positions and allows for a secondary entrance to the stage.

There are motorized trusses for lighting and backdrops and a large cyc hangs across the back of the stage to allow for environmental projection. The large side walls-- painted white--are used as video canvases. There is WiFi throughout the facility and auditoriums have video tie lines to support bi-directional connectivity so that they can be used for overflow.