Western Kentucky University’s (WKU’s) new, LEED Silver fine arts center provides two rehearsal spaces—one for instrumental music and one for choral. Acoustics were paramount to the design. The choral room is structurally isolated from the rest of the building to prevent sound transmission. Acoustical panels, reflectors and drapes provide acoustical controls and tuning capabilities in both rehearsal spaces. A new Director’s suite is also included, along with three sheet music libraries for orchestra, band and choir music. Custom storage spaces were designed for instruments, uniforms, equipment and choral risers. The new building also features an unusually large elevator sized to accommodate a five-octave marimba.

Located on a karst site, the building features an aggressive stormwater management system that uses a 40,000-gallon aquifer beneath the building’s driveway to treat storm water. Low-flow plumbing fixtures were used to minimize water consumption. Low-VOC construction materials were specified to protect air quality and regional and recycled building materials were used whenever possible throughout the building. A shower was installed to encourage bicycle transportation. Windows provide views outdoors and infuse daylight into all regularly occupied areas of the building. A white roof reduces the heat-island effect and minimizes the building’s burden on the energy-efficient mechanical system.