A photo tour of EMPAC

empac_ribbon_cutting_scene.jpg

The scene at today's opening.

RPI cut the ribbon on EMPAC today. And you know what? It's pretty cool. There's nothing else like it in the Capital Region. Heck, there's probably nothing else like it in the world right now. You should definitely check it out.

A lot of people have already written about all the crazy artistic and technological potential at this place, so we'll leave that to them. We did take a tour today, though.

Here are a bunch of pics...

The main piece of EMPAC is a concert hall that sort of "floats" like a wooden (space) ship inside the structure. The building also has a theater and handful of other studio spaces.

EMPAC is built into the side of a hill
empac_exterior_wide_long.jpg

empac_exterior_looking_up.jpg

empac_bottom_look_up.jpg

empac_side_reflection.jpg

empac_exterior_wide.jpg

Inside the front lobby
empac_lobby_windows.jpg

empac_lobby_looking_up.jpg

The two "gangplanks" that lead into the balcony of the concert hall
empac_concert_hall_two_openings.jpg

empac_gangplanks.jpg

empac_side_steps.jpg

Looking down into the cafe
empac_cafe_look_down.jpg

empac_cafe.jpg

Looking up from the cafe
empac_cafe_look_up.jpg

The concert hall
empac_concert_hall.jpg

The concert hall ceiling
empac_concert_hall_ceiling.jpg

Outside the concert hall's left side
empac_side_ceiling.jpg

empac_wood_panels.jpg

empac_left_side_steps.jpg

Performance space with circular projection screen
empac_360_studio.jpg

Theater lobby (the lights were off in the theater itself)
empac_theater_lobby.jpg

Comments

wow

Wow, indeed. This was originally promised to be opened before my graduation (2004), but like all construction projects it took twice as long. Looks great, though.

Is it open to the public after this grand opening weekend?

People should know that this building is environmentally self sufficient. Also, I believe that RPI was hoping to achieve LEED (Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the US Green Building Council. Perhaps you could right a separate article on that itself.

To Craig,

All the events starting Saturday are open to the publc, but online registration for most is done, so you need to call to see if tickets still exist for events.

check empac.rpi.edu

To Ro,
I am not sure when you heard it was supposed to be open in 2004. It didn't break ground until 2003. The original plans were late 06, which it obviously missed by a bit anyway.

I just got back from an open to the public event(madlib) and was pretty impressed. I was surprised they also had free snacks and drinks for us.

Even without tickets, it was pretty easy to check everything EMPAC had to offer this weekend, provided that you show up 15 or 20 minutes before.

I saw a lot, took a pics and videos (maybe on AOA?), and there was a lot to absorb. Madlib didn't impress me at all though, there were a lot of kids shaking it, and it was certainly loud, but I think my main issue was with the room, it felt... empty, without any soul at all. It was, basically, 4 walls; there was *no* lighting whatsoever, and the 360 degrees wall was completely underused; for a place that showcased arts, electronics and multimedia intermixed the whole weekend, I had seen way better setup a few blocks down at Revolution Hall...

But hey, everything was free and well organized, the place is cool, and DumbType did it for me :)

I didn't get to any EMPAC opening events this weekend :( I have to check it out in the next few weeks or soon it will be just another cool building only available to college students!

Paul, don't worry, most of the kids on the RPI campus are worried it will become 'just another cool building' NOT open to the students.

Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine