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Ben Davis High School, the largest three-grade high school in Indiana, is currently undergoing a major addition/renovation that is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2002. Almost every area of the existing 490,000-square-foot school will be renovated, with academic areas consolidated and classrooms updated for new technology. There also will be new and renovated auditoriums, science facilities, a modernized kitchen, cafeteria, and media center, and renovated locker, physical education, and pool facilities. The expansion will provide 180,000 additional square feet in program space, ease circulation throughout the 32-year-old building, and improve or replace mechanical, electrical, fire protection, security, and life-safety systems. The Ben Davis complex, which serves approximately 2,700 students in grades ten through twelve, is one of the most widely used schools in Indianapolis. In addition to traditional high school instruction, the building is used for night school, as well as community events, such as athletic competitions and artistic performances. Administrators estimate that approximately 5,000 people pass through the doors for after-school programs during a typical week. The expansion of the high school is the largest portion of a township-wide project that will also include modernizing four elementary schools.

Comments from SCHENKELSCHULTZ
Architecture, Indianapolis, Indiana
"The existing 850-seat, 7,031 square-foot auditorium at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis was updated and enhanced by the addition of RPG Glass Reinforced Gypsum OptiCurve™ acoustical panels on the side walls, a new fabric finish treatment on the back wall, and a pit filler in front of the stage area. Designed by SCHENKELSHULTZ Architecture, the enhancement of the existing auditorium was designed in addition to a new 460-seat community theater. The result is a cost-effective solution that offers the high school the flexibility to hold simultaneous performances and lectures.

Comments from acoustician Tom Lorenzen,
President of dB Acoustics, Fort Wayne, Indiana

"Auditorium renovations can be difficult, as the basic shape and volume is predetermined. Although this facility is a typical long fan shape dating from the late 60's, flutter echoes and lack of correlated early and late reflections impede the proper usage of this facility for the "Fine Arts". As the architect rejected our first recommendation (the amount of debris would be too high), we sought out the only source for this type of remedy. Dr. Peter D'Antonio of RPG was contacted concerning an optimized, diffusive wall treatment, which could be employed on the sidewalls in their entirety. We utilized RPG's custom designed OptiCurve™ panels in a homogenous installation on both the lower and upper side wall areas. Overall RT60 footprint changed minimally, while the specular reflections & lack of clarity were negated. The OptiCurve™ allowed this project to exceed all expectations."


DiffusorBlox® and BAD™ Panel band room wall treatment.



Home: Projects: Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana

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