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​General Building Information

Building Name: Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts

Location: Mechanicsburg, PA | Occupant: Messiah College | Sector: Education / Performing Arts​

Size: 92,000 square feet; Three total stories, two above grade

CDs were released for construction on November 30, 2010. Construction was completed on January 14, 2013.

Cost: Information is private

Project Delivery: CM at Risk

Project Design Team

Owner: Messiah College

https://www.messiah.edu

Architect: Greenfield Architects

http://www.greenfieldarchitects.net/

Civil Engineer: Benatec Associates (a subsidary of Century Eng.)

http://www.centuryeng.com/

Structural Engineer: Providence Engineering

http://www.proveng.com/

MEP Engineer: Barton Engineering

http://www.ba-inc.com/

Acoustical and A/V Consultant: Acoustic Dimensions

http://www.acousticdimensions.com/

Theatre Consultant: Robert Davis Inc

http://www.robertdavisllc.com/

CM: High Construction Company

http://www.highconstruction.com/

Architecture

Comprising of two main levels, a sub- level, a level 2 mezzanine, and a catwalk level, the Calvin and Janet High Center puts its focus on the performing arts - boasting numerous teaching studios and practice spaces, as well as, an instrument hall, instrument rehearsal area, a recording studio, and a music library. The main attraction of the building is Parmer Hall, a 900 seat auditorium space that features lower and upper levels of seating. The structure is built into a hill giving the appearance of a much taller building on the back end where you enter into the sub-level. While the attached existing fine arts center received renovations during the construction process, the main focus was on making the High Center an acoustically superior space.

Applicable Codes:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

  • International Building Code - 2009

    • IBC 2009 Reference Standards

  • International Plumbing Code -  2009

  • National Electric Code - 2009

  • International Mechanical Code - 2009

  • International Fire Code - 2009

  • International Energy Conservation Code - 2009

  • International Fuel Gas Code - 2009

  • 2003 ANSI A 117.1

  • ASCE 7-05 - Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures

 

Zoning:

  • Messiah College is located in the Institutional Zoning District of Upper Allen Township in Cumberland County, PA, just above the southern township border.

 

Historical Requirements:

  • There were no historical considerations for the design of this building.

Building Enclosure

 

The facade of the building is a combination of pre-finished aluminum framed, IGL glazed curtain wall and insulated glass separated by brick veneer embellished with stone bands. Towards the bottom of the wall, the brick veneer gives way to sturdy CMU, while the large roof cornices are clad in pre-finished aluminum composite panel. The portion of the building which is set back from the street is prefinished metal insulated panels as well. There is fully adhered EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) roof membrane overlapping the bottom metal panels on the higher auditorium walls and continuing onto the roof, where the membrane covers R-21 (min.) insulation.

The brick serves as a tie to the existing arts center building, while the metal and glass give the High Center a more modern look. The exterior also serves as the first line of defense in blocking the sound of a nearby train from entering the performance spaces.

Sustainability Features

     Automatic sun-shades are installed on the interior of all windows on the south and west walls to control solar gain and day-lighting.

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