The Rock and Roll

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The Secret Life of Buildings
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Environmental Technology III Melinda Smith Term
Project Prof. Adil Sharag-Eldin, Ph.D.
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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Location Cleveland, OH
Final Site 4 acres, in North Coast Harbor Lake
Erie
Chief Architect I.M. Pei
Project Architect Craig Rhodes
Client The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
Incorporated
Time Frame Planning 2/87
Construction 6/93 Completion 1995
Gross Floor Area 143,000 sf
Cost 84 million
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Interesting Info
In 1987 I.M. Pei is chosen to design the museum.
Pei had a lot of learning to do. I didnt know
a thing about rock and roll, he confesses. Not
to be discouraged, the board members take Pei on
trips to Memphis and New Orleans and to concerts
in New York. We heard a lot of music and I
finally got it rock and roll is about energy,
says Pei. He accepted the challenge.

(www.rockhall.com)
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The Original Site
5 sites were originally offered for the project.
Project architect, Craig Rhodes, and I.M. Pei
agreed on a downtown site adjacent to tower city
overlooking the cuyahoga river. They believed it
reflected the roots of rock and roll with its
industrial surroundings.
Schematic design began
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What Happened and who was Involved?
Two major groups were involved in the
coordination of the rock and roll hall of fame.
The Cleveland Businesses The Financial
Backers The New York Music Experts The Artists
It was decided that any record store incoming to
tower city or the surrounding area must be in
conjunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Mr. Rattner, owner of Tower City rented out
sub-grade retail space to a new record store
without consulting the Rock Hall coordinators.
An argument ensued and the site was changed with
schematic design already complete.
The main glass face faced north on the original
site, when the building was re-situated it came
to face southeast.
Information obtained from an informal interview
with project Architect, Craig Rhodes.
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What inspired my question?
When a building site changes and the design is
only slightly modified, we are given a rare
insight into the architectural equivalent of the
nature-versus-nurture debate. Rather than being
a product of its environment, this building has
emerged from a unique gene pool the architects
personal vision.
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The Question
Are lighting levels appropriate for any of the
activities that are located in the atrium area.
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The Hypothesis
All areas of the atrium are over lit based on
IESNA lighting standards for related tasks and
preservation of exhibits.
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Methods
aUse three HOBOs to measure lighting levels on
the different platforms of the grand lobby.
aUse the illuminance meter to plot the
distribution of light throughout the atrium.
aIn order to study glare without the proper
equipment, take photos of the interior and
analyze them in photoshop in order to visually
show the glare.
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Hobo Location
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Entry Level
aThis area contains reception, some exhibits and
houses the museum store which includes electronic
screen displays.
IESNA
Moderately susceptible displayed materials
textiles with stable dyes, oil paintings, wood
finishes, leather, some plastics 48,000
footcandle-hours per year.
Approximately 20fc8h/day300days/yr
Merchandise (including showcases wall
displays) Low
activity merchandise is generally exclusive
30fc
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retail
exhibit
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Exhibit Level
aThis area houses alternating exhibits. Below
and around this space is where the restaurant is
located.
IESNA
Moderately susceptible displayed materials
textiles with stable dyes, oil paintings, wood
finishes, leather, some plastics 48,000
footcandle-hours per year.
Approximately 20fc8h/day300days/yr Dining
areas 5-7.5-10 fc
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exhibit
dining
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Glare
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Conclusions
aThe lighting can be considered improper for each
of the tasks defined by the IESNA standards.
aEach area of the atrium is uniformly bright.
aGlare can be considered a problem for the area.
Additional Info
The original design did not intend for any
exhibits to be in the glass tent area nor did
it include the restaurant or the museum store,
these spaces were allocated by the rock and roll
hall of fame.
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Was there a problem with the original design?
Although the architect, I.M. Pei, cannot be held
responsible for the way the rock and roll hall of
fame has designated its space is there still a
problem?
Answer yes, there is still a problem with glare
between the bright surfaces of the atrium and the
dark exhibit spaces, leaving ones eyes constantly
adjusting to the changes in lighting levels.