Rafael Theater and Film Center

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Rafael Theater and Film Center

Location: San Rafael, CA
Architects: Mark Cavagnero Associates
Photography: Sharon Risedorph

Built in 1938, this historic Art Deco Theater is the flagship of the City of San Rafael's Downtown Rehabilitation Program and is located at the heart of "Main Street" in George Lucas's classic early 1970's film, American Graffiti. The historic original movie theater hall and entry lobby were carefully preserved and restored, while the balance of the facility was completely gutted, expanded and renovated. The new layout provides for three unique film theaters, each outfitted with state-of-the-art THX sound systems, multi-media projection systems as well as performance theater-quality lighting and dimming for the main (original) theater, which will be used for fund-raising and award ceremony events by the Film Institute of Northern California, the non-profit caretaker of this long anticipated civic gem.

O'Mahony & Myer provided all electrical engineering services, as well as full architecturally integrated lighting design, including custom refurbishing and modernization of the original art deco chandeliers in the original theater and main lobby. Special care was taken to fully coordinate with Lucas' THX engineers to ensure that the theaters will meet the most stringent motion picture presentation requirements well into the future.

Historic Preservation Award
The Art Deco Society of California

Featured in Lighting Spaces
Visual Reference Publications, 2007