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Planetarium

Planetarium1

Planetarium2

Project Delivery Method: CM Multi-Prime
Project Budget: $8.7 million
Construction Start Date: May 2010
Completion Date: January 2012
Occupy Date: March 2012
Bond Series: A

Scope/Summary:

  • Currently the 5th largest planetarium in California
  • Theater has 138 seats that sit under a 50-foot Astrotec dome. The presentations are largely driven by the Digistar 4 system.  To produce the fulldome images on the dome, two JVC digital projectors equipped with wide angle lenses work together to create one image.  Each projector provides 5000 lumens and produces a 4096 x 2048 display – together the image on the dome is 4096 x 4096 (4K) in size.
  • In addition to the Digistar 4 system, the Planetarium is equipped with at Christie digital projector for presentations that do not require the D4 system.
  • The audio system is a 5.1 surround sound system that uses 8 speakers located outside of the dome to provide a rich ambient sound using 11,000 watts of power.
  • Full production studio consisting of an editing room and recording room. A Digistar 4 producer station allows Planetarium staff to produce and render shows without using the resources of the Digistar 4 system that runs in the theater.
  • Editing room is lined with sound modifying acoustic wall panels and has a 5.1 surround sound system.
  • Adjacent to the editing room is a recording room lined with sound modifying acoustic wall panels.

Sustainable Features:

  • Proximity to public transportation for surrounding public access to shows
  • Exemplary indoor air quality will be achieved with more air changes and an air filtration system
  • The building employs sun shading devices to reduce heat gain while permitting ample natural lighting
  • Contains low-flow toilets and utilize infrared-sensor faucets
  • The steel structure, metal building framing, and metal roof materials composed of high recycled content

Project Team:

  • Architect: tBP/Architecture
  • Construction Manager: Swinerton Builders
  • Civil Engineer: VA Consulting
  • Electrical: FBA Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineer: GLP Engineering
  • Structural Engineer: John A Martin
  • Landscape Architect: Land Architecture
  • Facilities Planning Manager: Kelley Hudson-MacIsaac
  • Construction Manager: Chris Miller
  • Prop M Construction Manager: John Philipps