Design Architect:

BAUER Architects

Associate Architect or Firm:

Landscape Architect:

Office of James Burnett (OJB)

Owner / Developer:

Concordia University, Irvine

Project Data:

Completion Date:     6/28/2019

Square Footage:      44000

Building Use:           University academic building providing music recital and rehearsal, theology studies, classrooms, faculty offices, library and support spaces

Project Description:

The design creates a home for the Music, Worship Arts and Theology programs while enhancing the Concordia campus with a new outdoor event venue and campus quad.

The building is conceived as two interconnected elements – one housing acoustically sensitive music recital and rehearsal spaces – the other an academic ensemble of instructional spaces, faculty offices, library, conference space and support.

The building creates a new campus quad with the existing Library / Arts Building and the CU Center. This campus-gathering place – the Arts Court - a new campus focus - offers shaded gathering, outdoor performance and event space linking Music to other Arts programs. A covered Passage – between the Music and Christ College wings - links the new Arts Court with the lower campus and athletic fields.

Christ College – the School of Theology – gains a new identity in its two level academic facility. A defined entry leads to a two-level central, daylighted stair interconnecting offices, library and classrooms.

The Music Department occupies the three level western wing – providing an acoustically sophisticated environment for Orchestral, Choir and Handbell recitals, Rehearsal halls, a Recording Studio, Practice Rooms, Faculty Studios and Music/Choral Library.

The building terraces down the sloping site connecting the main campus Quad and CU Center to the new Arts Court. Christ College occupies a two level structure with a first or main floor level connecting to the three level Music wing. Music is organized around a main performance lobby connecting the two large rehearsal/recital halls with the Arts Court. The Main Recording Studio is located at the lower level of the Music wing. An expansive connecting roof joins the two program elements physically, programmatically and theologically – while recalling the form of the CU Center Sanctuary.

Designed with a strong commitment to sustainability, energy and resource conservation, the building includes shaded facades, photovoltaics, highly energy efficient HVAC and lighting, daylighting throughout all spaces, natural ventilation, sustainably designed site and landscape, significant on-campus water conservation measures and recycled material use.

DESIGN for EXCELLENCE - WELLNESS
The design promotes individual wellness choices – lighting, air quality, connection to nature, community, exercise, sound, noise and vibration control. Optimized perimeter allows daylight in all occupied spaces. Office, studio, classrooms and practice rooms have operable windows, individual thermostat controls and movable interior light shelves to darken spaces. Deep overhangs eliminate the glare and heat of the summer sun. Interior shading devices reduce glare.

Acoustic design influenced overall building organization by grouping acoustically sensitive spaces together to optimize structural and technical solutions – as well as isolating these spaces from quieter, academic activities.

Each wing is organized around an interior stair interconnecting major activity areas – providing a sense of community and encouraging stair use. In addition, several open, exterior balcony stairs interconnect all levels an encourage exercise, fresh air and connectivity with the landscape.

Communal gathering areas focus each wing – bringing a sense of wellbeing and community to users – as well as a sense of place and orientation.