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.