Completed in 1929, Janet Jacks Balch Hall is an anchor of Scripps College’s historic campus and originally served as the College’s primary academic facility. Its intimate, 270-seat auditorium has long supported the cultural life of the campus, hosting chamber music, faculty recitals, lectures, theatrical performances, and community gatherings.

In 2003, Scripps undertook a rehabilitation of Balch Auditorium that balanced historic preservation with contemporary performance and accessibility needs. The project restored the auditorium’s seating, introduced acoustical and sound-system improvements, and upgraded the venue to accommodate ADA requirements. The work extended the life of an important campus landmark while retaining the scale, character, and natural acoustics that make Balch especially well suited to chamber music and spoken-word programs.

MCH provided architectural acoustics and noise-control consulting for the renovation.