Explore the Refurbished Practice Studios at UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music, Imagination Hall
In a significant milestone for the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, the practice rooms in the Schoenberg Music Building have undergone a comprehensive renovation, transforming them into Imagination Hall. The project, funded by a $5 million gift from the Herb Alpert Foundation, was completed in Fall 2024, marking the first comprehensive renovation since 1955.
Imagination Hall, now home to 49 renovated practice rooms, is designed to provide an optimal environment for musical practice, with a focus on acoustic quality and modern amenities. The renovation project, spearheaded by UCLA Facilities and in collaboration with Walters-Storyk Design Group (WSDG), aimed to address common challenges faced in music school renovations, such as controlling sound isolation, managing room reflections, and integrating acoustic treatments within the architectural constraints of existing buildings.
The practice rooms in the north wing, which host over 180,000 practice sessions in an average year, were given special attention. Many of these rooms were built without angled interior walls to reduce the comb filter effect, a common issue in music practice spaces. Additionally, rooms designed for percussion required more attention to sound absorption at lower frequencies.
WSDG's design solutions for the renovated practice rooms included new, LED lighting for both aesthetics and modern energy efficiency, as well as carefully calibrated acoustic paneling that varied based on the room's typology and purpose. The acoustic treatments integrated into the rooms were designed to improve the dryness of the sound, benefiting students in refining their articulation and technique.
Notably, the practice rooms in the north wing, which often lacked sufficient or damaged acoustic panels, have been significantly improved in this regard. Glue-on ceiling tiles, a feature of these rooms, were replaced or supplemented with suspended ACT ceilings where necessary.
Each room in Imagination Hall has been upgraded with advanced acoustics, LED lighting, data ports for wired connections, and aesthetic enhancements. The rooms boast elegant wooden paneling that matches the acoustic treatments in Lani Hall, creating a cohesive and visually appealing space for students to practice.
The renovation of the practice rooms at UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music not only enhances the student experience but also supports the school's mission to provide a world-class music education. With dozens of classes, lessons, and performances daily, the renovated practice rooms will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the school's continued success.
For detailed, project-specific information about the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music renovation, interested readers are encouraged to check official UCLA communications, Walters-Storyk Design Group's publications, or specialized architectural and acoustic design sources.
In Imagination Hall, the focus on education-and-self-development is extensively highlighted through the integration of modern amenities such as advanced acoustics and LED lighting, designed to enhance students' musical practice and learning. On the entertainment side, the school's transformed practice rooms now offer an engaging environment for musicians, providing opportunities for refining articulation and technique, while also catering to the unique needs of various musical instruments, such as percussion.
