Featured Project: Harkins Theatres
Chandler Fashion Center 20

In 1999, during the construction of their brand new Arrowhead Fountains 18-plex our client, Harkins Theatres, asked us to try something new. Harkins had recently hired a new architectural firm, and together we were directed to re-design our acoustical panels for the next wave of Harkins projects, including the Chandler Fashion Center 20.

By mid-2000 the architect had CAD-drawn a new panel layout that met Harkins' request for an updated, colorful, and contemporary acoustical panel design. We then took that drawing and directed some very minor changes that were needed to keep our costs in check. We then offered to build a prototype. That sidewall sample was constructed at exactly half-scale and was installed in our manufacturing plant on a sub-wall built to preview our new acoustical panel design. We even directed spot lighting on the panels in order to mimic the realistic lighting of their theatre…

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At that point, we invited our clients and their architect to review our proposal. The half-scale model allowed us a very realistic preview of what they could expect to see on the walls of their not-yet build new multi-plex theatre. After some minor changes in fabric colors and some adjustments to the column panels, we had gained the approval of our client to proceed. We were hired in December of 2000 to begin manufacturing panels immediately for the first of three major projects. The first was a 14-plex in Prescott Valley, AZ, followed by a 16-plex in Phoenix, AZ, and finally the Chandler Fashion Center 20.

The first project consisted of 25,000 square feet of 1" custom cut Brejtfus Panels, 7,000 square feet of 2" custom cut Brejtfus Panels, 600 linear feet of low-voltage lighting, and all materials required for a turnkey installation by our crew. The second project started during the installation of Prescott Valley and was very similar in size and scope.

By late August 2001 our crew was delivering panels to the new building in Chandler and by mid-October our installation was complete. The panels fit perfectly, thanks in large part to good information from the architect and good construction by the contractor.

Another successful Brejtfus Panel project has presented two more Harkins projects that will utilize the new design. Our thanks once again to Harkins Theatres and D&L Architects.