Ball State University
Muncie, IN

　　　　　　　　　　　DESCRIPTION
The cornerstone of Ball State University’s new Music Instruction Building is the 600-seat Sursa Performance Hall, named in honor of benefactors David and Mary Jane Sursa. Sursa Hall is a musical jewel for the entire community, blending first-rate acoustical design with musical intimacy. It is designed to foster a close connection between performers and audiences, and its acoustical tuning capabilities allow performers to adjust the hall’s sound qualities to suit their individual preferences. By moving large baffles along the sides of the hall, performers can modify the acoustics in less than a minute to reflect sound or absorb sound, making the listening experience more appropriate for the kind of music and the size of ensemble performing. The visually unique and acoustically superb stage walls are constructed of Diffractals provided by RPG Diffusor Systems. The Diffractal mesh well with the hall’s overall aesthetics, while providing the broadband acoustic diffusion required by musicians to hear each other and perform in unison. Each acoustic unit is also internally damped for minimal low frequency absorption. Sursa Hall will be sued as a rehearsal hall, performance hall, and recording hall. The facility is linked directly to the recording booth in back of the audience area and to the recording facilities on the building’s second-floor area. Musicians will be able to record concerts digitally, broadcast live to Indiana Public Radio, record for delayed broadcast to television, and broadcast live to the internet.

ARCHITECT
“I am delighted with the completed building. The Sursa Hall is superlative, combining the excellence of the RPG Diffractals in an intimate setting with quality craftsmanship. RPG participated enthusiastically throughout the design process giving the design team careful attention and follow through in a demanding construction environment.”

Sam Miller , Architect ,Cso , Inc