Project Overview
Quality Stone Veneer partnered with Cornerstone Design Architecture and Sight & Sound Theatres to create a truly immersive, old-world interior for their flagship theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Dating back to 1999, when the theater was being rebuilt following the original facility’s growth and subsequent fire, this project challenged our team to bring the storybook vision of the theater to life.
Sight & Sound Theatres is known for its grand biblical productions and immersive environments transporting audiences into the world of the story— a fully immersive environment for families and children.
Designing The Interior
The project required more than just decorative stonework; it demanded the creation of a large-scale, old-world stone aesthetic throughout the interior of the theater, including:
- The main lobby and themed walls
- Architectural accent details around arches and seating areas
- Integration with stage and production elements to maintain the storytelling environment
The design needed to feel authentically old-world, and be highly durable for high-traffic areas.
Custom Stone & Precast Development
To meet the vision, Quality Stone Veneer developed a new profile we named Ashlar, a large-format, sandstone-textured manufactured thin stone veneer, produced in a custom color pallet reminiscent of desert landscapes.
Ashlar offered:
- A handcrafted old-world appearance for immersive environments
- Large-profile stones with a historic, stacked boulder look
- Flexibility for curved and complex surfaces, including arches and custom features
Expansion to Branson, Missouri - 2008
In 2008, when Sight & Sound Theatres opened a replica facility in Branson, Missouri, Quality Stone Veneer brought the same stonework, detailing, and immersive theming to the new theater. By carefully recreating the Lancaster aesthetic, we ensured the Branson theater carried the same authenticity and attention to detail as the original.
Bathroom Expansion – 2017
Finally, in 2017, Sight & Sound Theatres expanded again by adding brand-new bathroom facilities to the Lancaster location. They called upon Quality Stone Veneer to contribute once more, where we showcased some of our custom precast capabilities:
- Designed custom molds to replicate old-world detailing
- Produced durable, aesthetically rich precast elements that enhanced the immersive theater feel even in private spaces
This attention to detail allowed visitors to feel as though they had stepped into a storybook world, where every corner of the theater contributed to the immersive experience.
Quality Stone Veneer is proud to have contributed to bringing stories to life through stone, helping Sight & Sound Theatres create a magical, immersive world for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
In 2026, we’re proud to celebrate 50 years in business—right alongside our friends at the original Sight & Sound location!
Products Featured in this Case Study:
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Quality Stone Veneer is a certified Amercian Institute of Architects Continuing Education Provider.
Request a Free AIA Accredited Lunch and Learn
Quality Stone Veneer is a certified American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Provider.
