San Rafael, CA - Viewing and listening to meetings in the Marin County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission chambers soon will be better on the ears and eyes as the historic room undergoes an extensive audio and visual (AV) technology upgrade this week.
The project is the first major upgrade to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed chambers since the Civic Center opened in 1962. The goal is to improve AV functionality for user groups, including members of the public, and to replace outdated equipment that is subject to frequent malfunctions.
Improvements will include flat-screen monitors, high-definition cameras, speakers, microphones, lighting controls and an electrical upgrade. A permanent assistive listening system will be installed to improve accessibility for the hearing impaired. The project should be completed by February.
Special care was taken to implement the new work without compromising the architectural character of the chambers. Project plans were reviewed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Conservancy to ensure that the design was sensitive to the building’s historic character.
“The chambers’ intricate architectural details and the ceiling’s low height proved challenging to implement new equipment and larger viewing monitors,” said project manager Jeff Wong, “but the design team’s balanced solution respects the architectural character of the space while providing a vastly improved audio visual experience for all user groups.”
The County retained Preservation Architecture for design services, RGDL, Inc. for acoustical and audio visual technology consulting and Cammisa & Wipf Consulting Engineers for electrical engineering. Construction will cost approximately $420,000 and is funded by the County’s Capital Improvement Program.
Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings should not be affected by the construction.