BILCO acoustical smoke vents included in theater renovation

Architects for a major renovation of the theater at Middlesex School in Massachusetts faced a number of challenges, the most significant of which was increasing capacity while staying within the footprint of the original building.

The team from CBT Architects solved the dilemma with a complete re-imagining of the space. The new theater increased seating by more than 100, and added other spaces that will improve and enhance the school’s arts programs.

“Students will enjoy the upgrade that modernity requires,” said Kathy Giles, the former Head of School. “We designed these buildings to provide our students with great, well-lit space and now the facilities’ features reflect the sophistication and excellence of the work that’s being done there.”

The centerpiece to the project is the Kaye Main Stage Theatre, which now includes balcony seating that allows the entire school community to fit comfortably as an audience for performances, guest speakers and all-school assemblies. The renovated theater can accommodate 495 people, more than enough room for the 400-member student body, teachers and administrators. 

There is also a 180-seat black box theatre for rehearsals, theater classes and smaller performances. Behind the scenes are state-of-the-art resources for casts and stage crews, including large, brightly lit dressing rooms and space for hair and makeup.

The school also created a unique visual arts center where students will find spaces for ceramics, digital photography, digital media and studios for drawing and painting. There is also a gallery with work from professional artists and Middlesex students.The upper floor includes two art history rooms, a multi-purpose space that overlooks the campus and a mindfulness studio.

The vents were equipped with electric motors that allow them to be opened and closed
remotely for ventilation. They are activated upon the melting of a fusible link in case of a fire. Photo by Sarah Hamlin/Everchangingphoto

Six double-leaf acoustical smoke vents manufactured by The BILCO Company were installed on the roof of the new theater. Automatic smoke vents protect property and aid firefighters in bringing a fire under control by removing smoke, heat and gases from a burning building. This ensures better visibility, evacuation time, and protection against fire spread, as well as reduced risk of smoke inhalation and structural damage. They are activated upon the melting of a fusible link, and are ideally suited for large expanses of unobstructed space such as factories, warehouses, auditoriums and retail facilities.

The vents selected for this project featured an acoustical sound rating to block outside noise from entering the building and motor operation to allow the vents to be open and closed remotely for building ventilation. Acoustical smoke vents carry both an STC and OITC rating for sound transmission and are available with an ISO 140-18 rating for rainfall sound.               

“The features that were included in the smoke vents were geared to student safety,” said Michelle Oishi, the lead architect for CBT. “That was of paramount importance. The automated aspect was important due to the fact that we wanted very few things interfering with the rigging sets.”

The project delivered precisely what the school requested. “It’s an awesome space,” said Steve McKeown, the school’s project manager. “It provides a space where our community can gather, and that’s something that is very important to our school.”

The BILCO Company
Phone: 1-800-366-6530
www.bilco.com
commercial@bilco.com