Disney Concert Hall: Los Angeles, California

SERVICES USED ON THIS PROJECT INCLUDE:
	Environmental Compliance		Resource Management

Sapphos Environmental, Inc. was contracted to prepare Addendum No. 2 to the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to analyze impacts from modifications and refinements to individual commercial development components, addressing changes to elements of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the addition of a CalArts Theatre Complex, changes to the parking configuration, the elimination of a hotel, and modifications to the landscaping design.

The firm coordinated with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and the project architect, Frank O. Gehry & Associates, to describe qualitatively and quantitatively the refinements to the approved project. This was presented in a matrix format that compared the originally approved project features with the proposed refinements to those features. A summary of environmental impacts was also prepared in the form of a qualitative comparative matrix.

Eight impact areas were identified: land use, transportation and traffic, air quality, public services and utilities, energy conservation, aesthetics, noise, and socioeconomics. Particular attention was paid to preparing the view, shade, and shadow analysis components of the aesthetic section, which included quantifying the amount of, degree of, and exposure to light and glare emanating from the reflective surfaces of the Disney Concert Hall.

Subsequently, the firm prepared Addendum No. 3 to the Final EIR to address minor revisions to surface treatment on selected areas of the facades of the Founder’s Room and the CalArts Theater Marquee of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Promenade Owners Association notified Walt Disney Concert Hall of their concerns related to glare and heat from the reflective surfaces shortly after construction of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Sapphos Environmental, Inc. and Schiler and Associates worked in cooperation with Frank O. Gehry & Associates to reduce glare from selected surfaces of the Founder’s Room and the CalArts Theater Marquee to a level consistent with the glare analysis contained in the Final EIR and Addendum No. 2.

The Disney Concert Hall Glare Study was prepared to analyze the effect of the reflective surfaces of the concert hall. It was determined that several surfaces and portions of surfaces of the Founder’s Room were the primary contributors to the glare. These surfaces were recommended for brushing, sandblasting, or covering to reduce their specularity. The CalArts Theater Marquee causes localized glare in the intersection and some overheating on surrounding surfaces. Three areas on the marquee were recommended for treatment.