By: David Murkison, Associate Director for Student Center Building Administration
For the first time since Student Center East was built in 1998, all three salons of the State Ballroom in Student Center East will be undergoing a major renovation starting November 14, 2021. This project will bring a new level of lighting, sound, and video capabilities. Video projection capabilities will go from a system with one built-in projector to seven built-in projectors and built-in screens. A built-in camera will be added to capture, record and/or stream hybrid events as needed. Access points to the projectors will be easier since they will be in the room or in the control room.
Each of the three salons has a divided sound system or one large feed can go into all three at the same time. The first phase of a sound system renovation of replacing the obsolete speakers was completed in the summer of 2021, and the second phase will include a new state-of-the-art Crestron control system which will make running events more user-friendly.
Current photo of State Ballroom
Rendering of State Ballroom after renovation
The current lighting system, i.e., the chandeliers, will be removed and controls will be replaced. The new system will have more flexibility with options for fully lit rooms (see picture below) or different mood lighting (see picture below). The eaves in the ceiling will have accent lights that can be a variety of colors. Clients can decide to have events with seasonal accent colors or be true blue in support of the Panthers. The new LED fixtures will offer optimal viewing with dimmers allowing for variable levels of lighting for presentations. The new system will be more energy-efficient than the chandelier system that is being replaced.
Ballroom utilizing one of the thousands of color options with LED lighting
Some other upgrades will include:
- New ceiling tiles to replace the original ones from the building construction in 1998,
- Lighting bars so stage lighting can be installed without tree lights taking up valuable floor space (see photo),
Rendering of ballroom from above
- Ceiling power to allow for the lighting of crystal balls hung from the ceiling,
- New carpeting (see early draft below)
Most of the project is scheduled to be completed by the middle of February. The carpet portion of the project is scheduled to be completed by mid-May.
This renovation has been years in the making and has the full support of the Student Center Advisory Council. GSU CETL and GSU Design and Construction are partnering with the Student Center in completing this project. The salons will be ready in time for late spring events and ceremonies. Registered student organizations and university departments will continue to have the ability to reserve the space with no room rental charges. Any questions regarding the project should be directed to David Murkison, Associate Director for Building Administration at [email protected]. A quick video is also available here.