Ascend Amphitheater at West Riverfront Park Case Study

Riverfront Performance, Precisely Tuned

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Built Environment

Industry

Multi-Use Event Centers

Location

Tennessee

Design Architect | Landscape Architect | Theater Consultant

Hodgetts+Fung | Hawkins Partners | Schuler Shook

Ascend Amphitheater is a 6,500-capacity outdoor venue set within Nashville’s West Riverfront Park, designed to host concerts, civic events, and community programming. The project transforms a former industrial site into a vibrant cultural destination. Jaffe Holden, a Trinity Consultants team, provided acoustics and audiovisual design to support a wide range of performances in an open-air environment.

Vision

The amphitheater was designed as a multi-purpose performance venue that integrates seamlessly with its surrounding park while delivering a high-quality listening experience. Acoustic strategies were developed to support genres ranging from classical to amplified concerts. Looking ahead, the venue continues to serve as a flexible platform for cultural programming while maintaining strong acoustic performance in an outdoor setting.

Partnership

The project brought together Hawkins Partners, Hodgetts+Fung, and Schuler Shook to create a cohesive design that balances landscape, architecture, and performance. Jaffe Holden worked closely with the full design team to align acoustic and AV systems with the venue’s geometry, materials, and programming goals.

Services Performed

Trinity Consultants, through its Jaffe Holden team, provided acoustics and audiovisual design to deliver high-quality sound performance across diverse events in an open-air setting. The team integrated sound control strategies, innovative acoustic technologies, and flexible AV infrastructure to enhance clarity, minimize noise impacts, and support adaptable event configurations.

Building Sound Isolation

Traditional Landscape Architecture

Noise & Vibration Analysis

Environmental Acoustics

AV Systems Strategy & Design

Value-Add

Acoustic design included weatherproof materials and sound-diffusive stone walls to control reflections and reduce external noise impacts. An innovative electronic orchestra shell provides adjustable acoustic support for classical performances, eliminating the need for traditional large-scale enclosures. AV systems include extensive audio, network, and fiber infrastructure tied to central patch bays, enabling flexible event configurations. Back-of-house spaces are equipped with show relay and intercom systems to support real-time production needs.

35,000

sq. ft. facility

6,500

total capacity

2,200

fixed seats

300

seat greenway pavilion

4,000

lawn seats

100x60

ft stage

$35.5

million construction cost

LEED

Gold

Thanks to Jaffe Holden’s exceptional design, the Institute of Contemporary Art’s Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater has consistently impressed both audiences and performing artists since opening in 2006. The discrete acoustical treatment above our hardwood ceiling, as well as the rippled design of the theater’s entire East wall, plays a crucial role in managing reflections and ensuring both clarity and warmth. Additionally, the team’s expert noise isolation design allows for seamless co-existence between the Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater, our lobby, and our galleries, even as significant development has transformed the surrounding Seaport District. Their expertise continues to be invaluable, and we deeply appreciate their ongoing support in maintaining the integrity of their original acoustical vision.

Ryan Arnett | Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston

Director of Production