The new learning center at Harvey Mudd College contains technology-rich classrooms, an outdoor classroom, meeting rooms, faculty offices, and a 300-person auditorium for use by science and engineering disciplines. The building features the first US installation of “Bubble Deck,” a concrete roof slab filled with thousands of plastic balls which increase structural stability while utilizing lightweight construction materials. The slab has high levels of sound isolation properties within it to control exterior noise and noise from rooftop mechanical equipment.
In order to overcome the challenge of providing acoustic control for a multi-purpose performance space, Jaffe Holden designed adjustable acoustics for the facility. These adjustable acoustic systems allow users to tune the room for a variety of programing ranging from unamplified chamber music to jazz performances.
Jaffe Holden utilized sound isolation techniques to ensure students in classrooms would not be distracted by use of the nearby auditorium. The building is slated to receive LEED Gold certification and has technologically-advanced HVAC systems to ensure building temperature will be controlled as quietly as possible.
Size: 70,000 SF
Multi-Purpose Rooms
Classrooms
Offices
300-seat Auditorium