ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is a world-class hub for instruction based digital media production. It houses a variety of audiovisual-intensive multi-media production and learning spaces, including state-of-the-art 285-seat and 75-seat Dolby Atmos-enabled screening theaters with both creation and playback capabilities. The Sidney Poitier New American Film School is filled with technology-rich environments, including four live-production sound stages, a Foley studio, media labs, recording studios, media editing spaces, digital fabrication lab, and maker space classrooms.
One of the many unique features is a 3,600 SF Enhanced Immersion Studio. This 50’ tall 130-person “black box” theater studio space and associated infrastructure has two levels of catwalks, motorized stage hoists for theatrical lighting and rigging, and two levels of performance crossovers. It allows users to choreograph drone shows, create augmented and virtual realities, mapping physical space in 3D. The studio is strategically located to become an iconic building element, visible from both inside and out.
The lobby features a large videowall display for presentations and building signage. Other spaces include a large Exhibition Gallery along with two screening rooms, a social café and building support areas. Upper floors are a mix of Production Studios, Fabrication Labs, Classrooms, and Faculty/Administration Space. Traditional and modern pedagogy is supported through classroom design.
A massive exterior 56’x30’ LED display presents media and showcases student projects to the community, An array of color-changing lights integrated into the building facade produces dynamic visual effects that can be programmed to run independently or in concert with the ultra large high resolution display. The roof is covered with a 17,000 SF PV array harnessing solar energy to power the building.
