The John Herbert Phillips High School Birmingham, Alabama

Office of Archaeological Research
Interior-Auditorium
The auditorium ranks as one of the great public spaces in the city of Birmingham. As such, the
integrity of its interior should be preserved as far as possible.
Aspect: The drop acoustical tile ceiling in
the auditorium is a major detraction from the
historical integrity of this open space.
Above it there was once a great skylight that
admitted ample light into the auditorium.
Recommendations: This drop ceiling should
be removed. It may also infringe in a
negative way on the acoustics of the
auditorium. The architect, D.O. Whilldin,
designed a number of theaters and he clearly
understood acoustical science. One theatre
he designed, still extant, is said today to
have perfect acoustics. In addition, the
skylight should be restored, as it provided a
great amount of illumination to this great
space.
Aspect: The hardwood floors are original.
The tile floors are not.
Recommendations: The hardwood floors
should be restored to their former finish and
beauty.
Aspect: The metal and wood chairs are a
major contributing element to the integrity
of this public space.
Recommendations: These original chairs,
with their decorative faces along the aisles,
should be retained and restored. A number
of these were noted stacked in the basement
where some rows and random seats have
been removed.
John Herbert Phillips High School Birmingham, Alabama
24