The Temporary Use of Drilled Shafts in the Renovation of Carnegie Hall

The use of drilled shafts as temporary foundations in the renovation of Camegie Hall provides an interesting case history of how traditional geotechnical solutions can be integral to accomplishing atypical and difficult projects. In the case of Carnegie Hall, the installation of drilled shafts enabled reliable interim support of the existing structure during the subsurface removal of over 4,600 m³ (6,000 y³) of rock. The project created a new 600 plus seat, multi-use, performance space beneath the main concert space of Carnegie Hall. The site provided challenges related to limited headroom, scheduling restrictions, and concerns about the preservation of an internationally acclaimed concert hall. The structural and geotechnical work was completed without imperiling aesthetics or acoustics and without interfering with the operation of the facility.