The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-18
BEGIN AUDITORIUM
 IN NEXT 3O DAYS, BROWN ANNOUNCES
Moving Houses From Site NoW-ArchitectS Describe Details of Interior-To
 Be Completed By July


 municipal auditorium within the next 30 to 60 days, according to J. Ellis Brown, commissioner of pub lie properties.
 Plans for the auditorium are now in the hands of the consulting arcn- itoct Thomas Lamb, of New York They will be returned to Birmingham in the next week or so, it is. under stood.
 Workmen are busy clearing the site of the structure where Birming- ham will gather for all large attrac- tions in the future. Houses on the property, have nearly all been sold by the city and the purchasers are removing the materials. The prop erty is expected to be in shape for foundation work in about Is or 20 days. Advertising for bids will con sume the rest of about a month to six weeks.
 Plans Approved
 Official drafts of the auditorium plans were approved by the city com mission, and the auditorium commit tee some time ago. They were then sent to MT. Lamb, consulting archi- tect, as previously stated.
 Architects in charge of the work give out the following data:
 Plans for the interior of the main auditorium cal for room 1T5 feet wide by 150 feet from the proscenium arch to the rear of the building, with ceiling height of AS or 50 feet. Seats begi1ning at the stage and ex- tending back with a gradual slope for aboNt two-thirds of the way and then rising in amphitheatre form to the rear. There will be two cross aisles of generous width and ample exits so that the entire building car be emptied in 90 seconds. !. .. Lighting Scheme :. ..
 "A special feature will be the ;n- terior lighting scheme. the interior walls and ceilings of the auditorium being so designed as to take full ad- vantage of the color effects. All of this lighting will be indirect, and there will be no lights visible; but it will be possible to illuminate all of the architectural features of the ceiling with the full range of colors of the spectrum in all shades, from the very palest tints' to very strong and vividly contrasting colors. This lighting scheme will be operated in connection with the great organ. space for which has ibeen provided on either side of the proscenium arch, and the large perforated organ screen will be illuminated with all of the colors, while the music is playing. Space will be provided for an augmented orchestra, moving pie nd ri11 a fhnr- oughly modern projection room.
 "An added feature of this building will be the grand foyer. This will be a crescent shaped room having sating capacity of approximately 800 people; and can be used for piano re- citals and other small gatherings. Tn addition to this witi sbe A number |of large and small committee rooms. There will also be provided adequate checking rooms, telephone booths, mems smoking rooms and ladies re- tiIing room.
 Three Promenades .. .. ..
 "Thre promenades will occupy the space to the rear of the auditorium in addition to the grand foyer on the first floor. These promenades will on different levels. being entered through tunnels from the main audi torium eross aisles. There will also be provided a small balcony in the rear, having separate entrance ana exit from the street level, to be oc- cupied by negroes on special oc- casions.
 'sThere will be no projecting bal cony, which in the average theatre prevents the audience seated under same from seeing the special color lighting effects on the main cell ing.
 "The building will be provided with complete stage equipment, includins bridiron, fly galleries, complete set of drops and grand draperies, etc, and will be heated and ventilated during the winter season by most modern and approved system This plant will also be operated during the summer for cooling and venu- lating the entire building.Y