The School of Music and Performing Arts Center (SOMPAC) at West Chester University was designed and constructed as a larger and more sustainable performance center replacing the 1950s era Swope Hall.7group served as the LEED, energy, and daylighting design consultant for this new performing arts and academic building, which attained LEED Silver certification in July 2010. SOMPAC is a musical, theatrical and dance facility for students, and the local and regional community, and is becoming known as a major public performance venue for the area.

In preparation for design, sustainability concepts considered included site permeability, building orientation and day-lighting. Below-grade springs and a disturbed natural underground drainage system caused a high water table, which was addressed during design: the existing parking lot was replaced with native plant species to effectively manage site water levels, and an adjacent parking lot was engineered with a seepage bed drainage system connected to an onsite detainage basin. Orientation was crucial in managing both light and temperature levels in the building; a narrow east-west oriented structure was preferred due to the potential passive solar possibilities. Reflective roofing (white Energy Star membrane on rigid insulation) lessened the burden on the cooling system, and geothermal heating and cooling have further reduced energy consumption.

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Acoustics and other performance demands remained top priorities during construction. Insulated concrete forms (ICFs), which impart exceptional insulation values to the building envelope, keep an even humidity level for the preservation of over 100 Steinway pianos. Wide corridors, oversized elevators and large doorways accommodate large musical instruments, theatrical scenes, and the building’s performance-specific needs.