The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-02
AUDITORIUM WORK. PAUSES AT CHOICE
 0F BUILDING TYPE
Theatre Plan With Galleries, or All on One Floor Conven- ton Hall, Divide Commit
 tee of Architects

Difference in opinion as to whether the proposed Birmingham auditorium shall be a theatre type building or a convention type, on the arena plan, is responsible for the delay in the erection of the new structure.
 Members of the Birmingham chapter of the American Institute of Architects who have been assigned by the city commission to draw the plans for the auditorium are debating the present and future needs for the structure and what type will be most adaptable.
 It has been pointed out that if 2 theatre type of building is erected. it will be available only for theatrical performances. concerts, grand opera and similar affairs, but will not be practical for large conventions because of inability to see the entire floor from all parts of the house, or for automobile shows or similar exhibits and displays because of the inclined floor.
 If the auditorium or amphitheatre type is used, it would not be adaptable for theatre purposes, because of poor acoustics and sight lines.
 } Tentative plans call for the erection of building on the northwest cor ner of Eighth avenue an Twentieth street on lot, 20c feet on Eighth ave- nue and 524 feet on Tw entieth street.
 It is proposed to spend $425, 900 on building which will seat 5000 per sons. The location has been secured and the time for the erection depends on the solution of the problem as to the type desired.
 Tentative plans for the theatre type have alread.- ben drawn There will be a seating capacity of 5000 persons on the main floor, with 1000 in the balconies. The lfain floor will have four committee rooms, which will be apart from the theatre. The main en- trance will be om Eighth avenue and will lead into large lobby. On the balcony is a small convention hall with capacity For $50 persons. This will utilize large amount of waste space which would be caused by the banked seats in the balcony.
 AccOustics and Ventilation
 Outside noise will be eliminated by the use of an indirect ventilating sys- tenn and bJ- solid walls. Ar will be supplied from beneath the seats. Mush- room shaped ventilators will be under meath each seat and will be supplied from air drawn through a large pipe running up to the roof of the build ing. The air will be drawn under pressure into large chamber, six feet high and running underneath the entire building. It will be forced through the ventilators and then drawn off by means of exhaust fans.
 The convention type plans have not been drawn as yet. It is stated that this type will have an elliptical- shaped arena. surrounded with banked seats and seating 5000 persons on one floor
 It has been suggested that the build ing of a new armory for the national guard in connection with the audi torium would perhaps solve the ques- ton for it could be constructed, using the rear wall of th- theatre as~ one side, and could be used for exhibit pur- poses.
 Members of the architects who have been appointed on the auditorium com mittee are w. T. Warren, E. H. Knight Hugh Martin. John A. Miller, D. O Whilldin, H. B. Wheeler and Ben Price.