Center for Performing Arts and Student Life

BKM served as the MEP design consultant on the new Performing Arts / Student Life Center on the Mt de Sales Academy campus.

This approximately 20,000 square foot building primarily supports the performing arts program, however, the flexible space design allows portions of the building to be used for traditional lecture classrooms as well. The building consists of a performance platform and auditorium seating area which can house over 400 spectators. A foldable wall system allows for an additional 200 seats in the upper level. During non-performance times, this upper level will be closed off and the flexible seating will allow it to be used as a traditional classroom space. The building also houses a dance studio, orchestra room, choral room, instrumental practice areas, a large lobby space, dressing rooms and a scene shop. The building architecture matches the existing buildings on campus and the roof systems were designed to hide all HVAC equipment from sight.

The primary HVAC system serving this building are gas-fired packaged AC rooftop units. The platform and auditorium seating area are equipped with their own units to provide maximum temperature control. The classroom and lobby areas are equipped with a similar unit with VAV terminals downstream for individual temperature control. The back of house areas (i.e. dressing rooms, office, concessions) are equipped with a small variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system to provide heating and cooling. The roof top units are all air cooled machines and were coordinated closely with the roof pit system to ensure optimum unit performance while keeping the units hidden from view. Due to the nature of this building, several sound attenuation features were incorporated into the design. These features include but are not limited to, duct silencers, roof curb treatment, lined ductwork, and sound panels on the ceilings and walls. This project includes primarily LED lighting with a few specialized florescent lights to meet the program needs. Power and lighting requirements for the stage and auditorium systems were coordinated with the theatrical consultant throughout design.