Interlochen Center for the Arts
- Melinda Miller, Principal Engineer
- Quincey Smail, Senior Acoustical Consultant
- John Kramer, Acoustical Consultant
ABD Engineering & Design worked with Cornerstone Architects to develop complete acoustical recommendations for the state-of-the-art Music Center.
The Music Center includes a variety of acoustically critical listening spaces:
- 3 floors with optimal acoustics, environmental controls, and sound isolation
- 25 new teaching studios
- 12 new practice rooms
- Nine ensemble rooms
- Two recording studios
- Two large rehearsal rooms with observation balconies
Recommendations for room acoustics, sound isolation, and mechanical noise control extended into classrooms, and offices.
A particular challenge was the adjacency of spaces with different uses that would be occupied simultaneously. The singer-songwriter ensemble room, featuring amplified instruments, is directly below the main rehearsal hall. Each had the potential to be disruptive to the other. So, our acoustical consultants accounted for this in their recommendations for mechanical pathways to minimize flanking paths for sound transfer, in addition to specifying construction details, and absorption and diffusion treatments.
The new Music Center provides the opportunity to incorporate 21st century expectations into our already rich music curriculum. With the built-in ability to record in rehearsal halls, music production and engineering capabilities in professional recording studios, convertible performance/classroom spaces, and much needed private teaching and ensemble studio space, music students will have even greater success and Interlochen as a whole will be able to expand offerings and enhance the curriculum.
– Camille Colatosti, Provost, Interlochen Center for the Arts
This video describes the spaces, in the words of the people who use them:
The Interlochen Music Center has been recognized at the AIA Grand Rapids Honor Awards with the 2021 Building Award.
