Planning Space for Pipe Organs: Location

The pipe organ is a wind-blown instrument. To allow the instrument to fill the room naturally with musical tone, pipes/windchests should be located prominently without obstacles to sound distribution. Location on the central axis of the room is ideal. The farther away from the central axis and the more barriers to egress of sound, the less desirable the location.

The function of the instrument is important in deciding where it should be located. If the organ
will be used to accompany choral singing, the pipes and choir should be located as closely together as possible. The location of the console should insure good sight lines between the organist and the choir, chancel, and altar.

If the instrument is in a concert hall, the organ should be placed to provide good sight lines between the conductor, the organist and instrumentalists.

Remember the following:

• Locate the pipes as intimately as possible on the central axis of the room.
• Maintain good sight lines for the organist at the console.
• Locate the choir and pipes/windchests in the same area of the room.
• The pipes/windchests should be located above and behind the choir or orchestra
  members.

The following are typical examples of organ locations: