Location: 
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Total Square Feet: 63,000
Construction Period: July 2002 to Apr 2004 

CONSTRUCTION TEAM
THEATRICAL DESIGN ARCHITECT: Holabird & Root, LLC - 300 West Adams Street, #700, Chicago, IL 60606
PROJECT MANAGER: Triangle Associates, Inc. - 3769 Three Mile Road, N.W., Grand Rapids, MI 49544
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: JDH Engineering - 3000 Ivanrest, #B, Grandville, MI 49418
ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL ENGINEER: Integrated Architecture - 4090 Lake Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
CIVIL ENGINEER: Moore & Bruggink, Inc. - 2020 Monroe Avenue, N.W., Grand Rapids, MI 49505
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc. - 212 Daines Street, Birmingham, MI 48009

Filled with natural light and alive with creative energy, the Forest Hills Public Schools Fine Arts Center provides a stimulating background for art, drama, dance and music. Designed to achieve a United States Green Building Council LEED® rating, the center teaches by example the luxuries that come from the wise use of natural materials, sunlight and space. It is believed this project is the nation's first K-12 fine arts center to seek LEED certification.

Designed to serve as a regional icon, the Center is a focal point for the various communities represented within the Forest Hills School District. The striking glass and metal design fills with sunlight during the day and acts as a beacon when evening events take place.

Planned and equipped to operate as a self-supporting regional theatre, accommodating full-scale professional productions, the center serves double duty hosting district school events ranging from kindergarten holiday shows to high school orchestra performances to honors assemblies. The center also offers an annual subscription series, traveling Broadway Shows, and serves as another venue for the Grand Rapids Symphony, hosting their new Sound Discoveries concert series.

Particular consideration was given to the Center's school audience; as everyone in the 1,212-seat auditorium has direct access to the stage -- speeding up the movement of performers from their seats and facilitating easy stage access for award acceptance. This unique design also results in exceptional sight lines. Local concert promoters affirm there are truly no bad seats in the house. The theatre is exceptionally quiet, due in part to a uniquely designed, highly efficient HVAC system. Instead of pushing air from the ceiling down 50 feet to the seats, heated and cooled air flows through the plenum to diffusers under the auditorium seats. The result is significant energy savings, a more comfortable environment, and a major reduction in HVAC system noise.

Numerous other sustainable (green) strategies were utilized in project. They include: In-floor radiant heat in lobby; High-performance glass curtain wall; Waterless urinals saving (estimated) 4,000 gallons of water per year; High-recycled content construction materials: Steel, Concrete, Masonry, and Glass.

Interior strategies included Low VOC off-gassing finishes: Adhesives, Sealants, Paints, and Carpet. A Carbon Dioxide monitor system maintains optimum air quality throughout building. Renewable materials included bamboo wood flooring and wall paneling features wood harvested from sustainable forests.

Recycled content building materials include ceiling tiles, carpet, ceramic tiles, and solid surface countertops.

Green islands in the parking lot provide shading, collect rain water, control run-off, and provide natural filtration of ground water.

The success of the project is represented by the strength of the team anchored by Integrated Architecture, Architects of Record and designers of all but the theatre, and Project Manager Triangle Associates. Theatrical design architects and consultants include Holabird & Root, Schuler & Shook Theatre Consultants and Yerges Acoustics.

Designed in collaboration with a 104-member community advisory committee, the center's classrooms, dance studios, multi-purpose meeting rooms, artist-inresidence studio, cafe, and public spaces reflect the community's desire to provide students and families with a state-of-theart theatrical venue. The Center's large lobby, six multi-purpose classrooms and display areas are available for businesses and organizations to utilize for conferences, banquets, seminars, or similar gatherings.

MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS
DIV 05: Column Covers: Accuform Industries, Inc.
DIV 07: Corrugated Metal Panels: Fabral; Plate Panels: Copper Sales.
DIV 08: Curtainwall, Entrances & Storefronts: Kawneer; Heat Mirror Glass: Alpine Glass.
DIV 10: Partitions: Modernfold.
DIV 14: Elevators: Otis.