Achieving Silent, Even Comfort in Notre Dame High School Theater with Airius Q Series Fans

The auditorium presented a significant HVAC challenge. With an average floor-to-ceiling height of 30 feet, the school required a minimal temperature gradient from the orchestra pit to the mezzanine. Traditional rooftop units posed two major problems. First, supplying air from that height risked severe stratification, leaving occupants uncomfortable. Second, throwing air 30 feet into the space created unwanted noise, which was unacceptable in a performance environment where acoustics are critical.

Encon needed a solution that could maintain uniform temperatures throughout the space while keeping sound levels extremely low.

To address these challenges, Encon worked with Airius to design a destratification strategy centered on twelve Airius Q Series EC fans. The selected layout utilized twelve Q-50-EC fans evenly spaced across the ceiling, where they blended seamlessly into the theater’s architecture without distracting from the visual design.

The overall system approach relied on three centrally located rooftop units supplying conditioned air at the lowest possible CFM, essentially bleeding air gently into the space. The Airius fans then quietly and efficiently moved that air down to occupant level, mixing it throughout the auditorium to eliminate stratification and drafts while preserving acoustic integrity.

After installation, the performance of the system exceeded expectations. Air temperature and floor-level temperature were nearly identical, achieving the uniform environment the school required from front to back and from floor to mezzanine. Just as importantly, the system operated at a sound level comparable to a quiet library, ensuring no disruption to performances or events.