M/E Engineering has extensive experience in the design of auditoriums and theaters for new and existing facilities, ensuring systems are performing to optimum standards. This experience includes projects for full production theaters, gaming facilities, colleges, universities and public schools. Brief summaries of selected project examples are provided below:

Shea's Performing Arts Center - Theatre - Stage House Renovations
Buffalo, NY

This Landmark 3,000 seat theatre was refurbished and the stage depth was extended 50 feet to qualify for "roadhouse" use by traveling Broadway shows.

• Accomplished < 25 NC ambient sound from HVAC system utilizing ice storage and custom air handling units.
• Unique ice storage cooling system allows shutting off compressors during performances.
• New electric service and connections for road show use.
• New rigging grid and power distribution.
• Designed decentralized dimming, with dimming at the individual fixture level, controlled by computer rather than dimmer boards.
• Addressable fire alarm system to prevent performance smoke from falsely alarming the building.
• Modernization with tel/data housed in office/support spaces in new four-story addition.

Proctors Theatre - Downtown Schenectady Redevelopment
Schenectady, NY

This project was undertaken to restore the downtown Schenectady area to a vibrant and healthy urban center.  The catalyst for this project was a historic renovation to the existing 132,000 SF Proctors Theatre.  In 2002 Proctor’s Theatre commissioned a complex team of consultants to begin design on the project.  Throughout the various design phases of the project this team included SRG Architects, Chazen Companies, AKW Consulting, Adirondack Scenic and M/E Engineering, P.C.

M/E Role

M/E was involved in the mechanical and electrical design of all portions of the project and was the prime professional in design of the Proctor’s Energy District Heating and Cooling Plant which linked the entire project 's mechanical systems together.

Proctor’s Energy District Heating and Cooling Plant

M/E Engineering was the prime professional responsible for the architectural, site, structural (including deep foundation design), and M/E/P engineering for the creation of a new District Heating and Cooling Plant.  The plant generates low pressure steam, converts to medium temperature hot water and chilled water for distribution to the buildings listed below with capacity for future customers. 

• Proctors Theatre
• IWERKS Black Box Theatre
• Hampton Inn

Additionally, a snowmelt system serves the 400 State Street block sidewalk in front of the Theatre District.

Proctors Theatre

• Replacement of the historic Theater Stage.  Project incorporated a large stage expansion and incorporated cutting edge technology for sound control, projection and quality.
• Noise Criteria in Stage and Orchestra Pit of 20-25 NC, 30-40 NC in Support Spaces.
• New Air Handling Units (AHU's) for Stage Expansion and Support Spaces (Dressing Rooms, Office, Green Room).
• Hot Water and Chilled Water for AHU’s from the District Heating and Cooling Plant.
• Humidity control for comfort levels in winter months.
• Coordination with Proctor’s Sound Consultant for New Stage House and Sound Systems.
• Stage House, Stage and Lobby/Gallery Lighting/Dimming Systems and Road Connections.

Carl Company Conversion:  Atrium & IWERKS Black Box Theatre

• Converted the former 90,000 SF Carl Company Department Store into an Atrium Space and a new 6,000 SF large screen format Black-Box Theater.  Flexible, state- of-the-art facility to accommodate all levels of small performance venues.  Included in the Renovation is a full Kitchen Banquet Area and retail shops.
• Variable-air-volume air handling systems with hot water and chilled water systems connected to the District Heating and Cooling Plant.
• Coordinated Fire Protection and Audio-Visual Fire Alarm System with Fire Control Center.
• New Electric Service, Distribution, and Lighting.
• New light dimming and sound systems in Black Box Theatre.

Hampton Inn

• Connection of the five story, 61,500 SF, 97 Room Hotel to the Proctor's Energy District Heating and Cooling Plan supplying approximately 170 tons of cooling and 3,700 MBH of heating. 

440 State Street Performance Auditorium

• Renovation of 3-story, 15,000 SF Building including air conditioning, new 100 seat moveable design, with new lighting/dimming systems, ADA upgrades, elevator addition, new electrical service and fire alarm systems.

Ithaca College - James J. Whalen Center for Music, Ithaca, NY

Design of the 69,000 SF Center for Music included 30 sound isolated studios, a 250-seat recital hall designed primarily for solo and chamber music recitals; a large choral rehearsal room; a large instrumental rehearsal room; a recording studio; two recording control rooms; an electro acoustic music suite; a music education resource center which includes a large multipurpose room, an attached observation room, a large storage room and three conference rooms; a bridge connecting Ford Hall directly to the music holds of the Ithaca College Library; a redesign of the Front and West Entrances that eliminated obstructions to the disabled; and a computer classroom.

Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta, NY

The first completed phase of this new performing arts center included scenery shops and administrative offices.  We recently assisted SRG Architects with the Program Study for the theatre and have been selected to design the mechanical and electrical systems for the  new 1,200 seat Performing Arts Stage and Auditorium in Oneonta, New York.

University of Rochester – Eastman Theater and Eastman School of Music Enhancements

The primary focus for the Eastman Theater enhancements is to improve the acoustics within the Theater.  The addition of box seating along both sides of the Theater to create a more rectangular shape at the Orchestra Level, the reduction of seating from approximately 3,400 to 2,250 to “right size” the Theater, replacement of the air handling units in addition to modifications to the air distribution system to meet a noise criteria of  20-25 NC are a few of the enhancements to improve the acoustics within the Theater. 
The School of Music enhancements includes a 32,500 square foot addition adjacent to the Eastman Theater.  The reduction of seating within the Theater along with the addition allows for the expansion of the Lobby to include a Café.  The addition will include a number of vital spaces for the enhancement of the School of Music:

• A 200 seat recital hall for student venues.
• A rehearsal space for large ensembles.
• A Green Room for Eastman Theatre Performers.
• A Gift Shop to provide more marketing visibility in the community for the RPO and the Eastman School of Music.
• Administration and Student Faculty Studios and Office Spaces, which are used daily for administration and student support.