PROJECT INFO
The Soka University of America’s new Performing Arts Center and
Academic Building project, located on 1.9 acres of the Soka University
campus in Aliso Viejo, CA included a three-level, 47,836-square-foot
Performing Arts Center housing a reception lobby, various support spaces
and a 1,200-seat auditorium. The project also included a 48,974-square-foot
Academic Building located next to and providing support for the
Performing Arts Center. The new four-level academic building houses 11
classrooms, 29 faculty offices, a 150-seat black box theater, four dressing
rooms, a rehearsal/dance studio, musician warm-up spaces and other
support areas.
Both new structures presented design and construction challenges. The
installation of plumbing systems within the nonconforming shape of the
auditorium and above the 30 foot high ceilings required close coordination
with other trades and great attention to detail. Moreover, sound attenuation
was of the highest priority.
The project’s design and construction team is pursuing United States Green
Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
(LEED) Gold Certification for the buildings. Pan-Pacific helped them earn
LEED Gold Certification by installing sensor-operated, low-flush urinals and
toilets, sensor faucets and other water-conservation items.
The coordination process started during the shop drawing and submittal
phase and continued through installation. With weekly “big room”
coordination meetings and the use of 3D BIM, the project ran smoothly.