• Architect: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects
• Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies
• Location: Orange County, California
• Project Area: 47,836 Sq Ft
• Year Built: 2008 – 2010

The $73 million university project in Orange County faced construction challenges and incorporated sustainable building methods to seek LEED Gold Certification.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (www.mccarthy.com) recently completed construction of Soka University of America’s new Performing Arts Center and Academic Building project, located on 1.9 acres of the Soka University campus. The new Performing Arts Center is designated to become a venue in South Orange County for concerts, theater productions, lectures and assemblies, enhancing Soka University’s role as a cultural center and community gathering place.

McCarthy served as general contractor for the $73 million project that began in December 2008. The project included construction of a three-level, 47,836-square-foot Performing Arts Center including a reception lobby, various support spaces and a 1,200 seat auditorium. McCarthy also built 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. 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.

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