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Several arts groups in San Jose, California, are getting a new home thanks to the efforts of Ankrom Moisan Architects and a nonprofit named SVCreates.

San Jose Taiko, The New Ballet School, media nonprofit CreaTV and other groups currently scattered throughout the city are poised to move into the Creative Center for the Arts 鈥� a 55,000-square-foot structure planned in San Jose’s Japantown district. The centerpiece of the development is the arts center; however, it will be surrounded by two mixed-use buildings 鈥� each with 300 residential units 鈥� and a public square.

鈥淎 big part of the benefit (for the tenants) is the creativity and collaboration,鈥� Ankrom Moisan Architects Managing Design Principal Jason Roberts said. 鈥淭here is a lot of technology they can share.鈥�

The San Jose City Council in January agreed to lease the land to the center. The vacant site was due to gain apartments in a high-rise before the recession struck in 2008.

鈥淲hen (economic health) came back, we had to figure out where things belonged on the site,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淲e are getting a similar density with lower-rise buildings.鈥�

The mix of tenants influenced the design of the center 鈥� such as separation of Japanese drumming organization San Jose Taiko and community media group CreaTV.

鈥淎 really interesting challenge stems from the Taiko drumming, which is really loud,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淚n the same building we have CreaTV, which wants the quietest place for its studio.鈥�

In order to accommodate both tenants, designers turned to acoustic specialist Charles M. Salter Associates. First, San Jose Taiko and CreaTV were given space at opposite ends of the building. Then, different forms of isolating walls and spaces were chosen to further dampen sounds. Also, walls were positioned to isolate noise in San Jose Taiko’s wing.

鈥淭he first part was how we oriented the building,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淭hen we had to make sure all the systems of the building didn’t (come near) each other.鈥�

By separating and isolating systems and ducting, designers could limit noise produced by items ranging from HVAC systems to electrical systems.

鈥淭here was a lot of isolation of various elements,鈥� Roberts said.

A second issue was that The New Ballet School would occupy space atop a floor of offices. Special materials were used to dampen vibrations and sounds that could have disrupted office work below.

鈥淲e had to work with acoustics specialists for the dancers that were dancing on top of offices,鈥� said Alexandra Urbanowski, director of strategic initiatives for SVCreates. 鈥淎nkrom did a great job of designing some great offices.鈥�

Another issue came from the fact that the building will be in a floodplain. That required raising the building’s foundation about 18 inches.

Large doors to the U-shaped building will open to a courtyard that spills into the public square, which was designed by San Francisco landscape architect Ken Kay Associates. While the center is intended to primarily be a practice facility for the artists, the layout will allow the building, courtyard and square to also serve as a stage for small performances.

鈥淎 big part of the project was to integrate it with the park,鈥� Roberts said.

SC Builders has been chosen as the contractor and Nova Partners will serve as construction manager.

The design and permitting phase of the $32 million project is expected to continue through the early portion of 2018. Construction is expected to kick off this summer.

鈥淭he design was unique and iconic,鈥� Urbanowski said. 鈥淭he architectural achievement is that this site is significant historically.鈥�

Design Beyond Borders is a 91视频 feature offering a look at the projects outside of Oregon being tackled by local architecture firms. To have your firm’s projects considered, contact the 91视频 newsroom at 503-802-7222 or [email protected].