Grand Valley State University

Haas Performing Arts Center and Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theater

The addition of a black box theater to the existing performing arts center, along with three new ensemble rooms, and renovations to the existing music and dance department spaces, were of paramount importance for this project. ABD Engineering and Design provided audiovisual design and acoustical engineering throughout the center. Starting with acoustical measurements of the existing conditions, we followed with engineered recommendations for room acoustics, noise isolation and mechanical noise control. The ensemble rooms are dedicated to the type of music or instrumentation they serve, but a priority was placed on adjustable acoustics for personal preference. ABD worked with Stantec to create flexible acoustical environments for the music, dance, and theater departments, along with an integrated audiovisual system design.