Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts
The Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts for is expressive of the building's function and importance, clearly defining the main functional areas of the Theater-Concert Hall, its lobbies, and support spaces. The metal covered roof design transforms into multifaceted roofs over the lobby space. The support spaces are clad in brick and maintain the east-west campus axis.
The building's unique form resulting in snow loads of over 450 pounds per sq. ft. on portions of the roof and suction wind loads over 80 pounds per sq. ft. on the roof and building skin. The facility helped transform the Michigan Technological University into a cultural hub for Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin Region.
Project features include:
- 30 ton sound damped moveable shell, connected to and rotating from the back stage wall.
- Fly loft, orchestra pit, and control bridge
- Eyebrow ceiling framing in front of the stage
- Concave and stepped floor deck in front of the stage
- Three dimensionally weaving lobby store front
Building geometry and unbraced column heights made it difficult to strategically locate conventional braced or rigid frames. Desai/Nasr integrated masonry walls with steel columns and a combined truss frame over the proscenium opening with braced frames on each side to provide the required lateral load resistance.
