Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Seoul, South Korea

Opened in 1978, it has an area of 52,202 m2 and includes the following halls:

• Large Theatre Hall, 3,022 seats (renovation 2002 – 2004)
• Medium Theatre Hall 630 seats (renovation 2007)
• Small Theatre Hall 300 seats
• Chamber Music Hall 443 seats (2008).

Our advice

PBTA was the acoustical consultant on the renovation of the Grand Theatre. This included notably:

• New modeling of the hall shape from wide fan to more rectangular, for better acoustics and also better visibility of the large stage. Because this made the auditorium narrower, the number of seats reduced from over 3,800 to 3,022 and the volume was reduced from 38,000 to 33,000^m3.
• For symphonic concerts, a hoistable orchestra chamber was installed in the stage tower, extending the reverberation time that in the theatre situation is 1.4 seconds (suitable for amplified sound) to 1.7 seconds. Since for this large volume, almost twice the size of a traditional European concert hall, the loudness of an orchestra is insufficient, an electronic acoustic system was installed that also allows the reverberation time for concerts to be extended to 2.2 seconds and for organ even to 5 seconds. The stage tower has access to 102 automated hoists with a lifting height of about 45 m. The architectural stage opening is 25 m wide and 12 m high. In short, the largest productions can be effortlessly staged here.

The total cost of the renovation of the Grand Theatre amounted to approximately 21 million euros.

The following companies call Sejong home:

• Seoul Philharmonic
• Seoul National Philharmonic
• Seoul Metropolitan Theater Company
• City of Seoul Musical Company
• Seoul Metropolitan Chorus
• Seoul National Traditional Dance Company
• Seoul Metropolitan Opera
• Seoul Youth Orchestra
• Seoul Youth Choir.