Description

Acoustics By Design assisted the Museum with acoustical treatments in the Auditoria of the original historic building located at 155 North Division in downtown Grand Rapids in the mid 1990s. When plans started to incorporate the design of a new building, Acoustics By Design was pleased to be selected as the Acoustical and AV Consultant.

Acoustics By Design was hired to complete comprehensive acoustical consulting services by Design Plus, the Architect of Record, for the new art museum in 2004. The Museum was working with Munkenbeck & Marshall out of London, England as the design architect. Acoustics By Design worked closely with them and the Art Museum to provide acoustical recommendations and mechanical noise control services during design development and construction documents for the project. Acoustics By Design also collaborated with wHY Architects out of California to complete the design and to see the museum through construction, with Rockford/Pepper acting as the Construction Manager.

Acoustics By Design was also retained to complete comprehensive Audio and Video design services by the Grand Rapids Art Museum. We worked closely with GRAM and The Rise Group, the owner's representative from Chicago, to design a technical system for the Auditorium, Lobby, Board Room, Conference Room, and Children's Area, that was completely functional and yet easy to use. The Lobby sound system was designed to minimize sound propagation to other areas of the museum. The result is a state of the art system that can be monitored from any location, including the facility manager's desk in the administrative wing.

One of the greatest challenges of the project was the desire to create a building using sustainable materials and practices. One of the greatest successes of the building was recognition as the very first Art Museum in the world to be certified by the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating system. The museum earned the Gold level of certification in 2008. In addition, it was named one of Newsweek Magazine's "Six Most Important Buildings of 2007."

Construction began in September 2004 for the new 125,000 SF facility, which is located on Monroe Center in downtown Grand Rapids, adjacent to Rosa Parks Circle, the urban park designed by Maya Lin. A $75 million Capital Campaign was successful and included the $55 million museum facility, site acquisition, and operating endowment. The museum includes a 4,500 SF lobby/reception area, a 285-seat auditorium, several galleries, totaling 18,000 SF, for both changing exhibitions and permanent collections, a 2,400 SF retail shop, a 1,500 SF café, and 5,000 SF of educational area (studios and orientation areas), as well as one level of underground parking with space for 40 cars. The project was completed in October 2007.

Summary

Type:

Municipal

Date Completed:

12/03/2007